The first independent power producer in Zambia Lunsemfwa Hydro Power Company Limited – LHPC has bemoaned the effects of the drought which has hugely impacted their productivity which has now dropped to below 10 megawatts.
Lunsemfwa Hydro Power Company Limited (LHPC) operates two hydropower plants, Lunsemfwa and Mulungushi, in Central District in Zambia with a total installed capacity of 58 MW.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with the Zambian Business Times – ZBT, LHPC Chief Executive Officer – CEO, Alpha Mwale said the Company is unable to produce at full capacity due to the negative effects of the drought which has reduced the water levels.
Mwale said although the Company is generating at the moment the water levels are very low with only few weeks remaining of generation.
“Although we are generating at the moment but i think we only have few weeks remaining because of the water levels are very low unless we receive some inflows.”
The situation of the drought is the same and I think all hydro power plants are experiencing the same situation.
Asked if the power plants are likely to be shutdown following the low water levels that have been recorded, Mwale said, “not shutting down completely, because we have two power plants so mulungushi we are shutting down one of the main valves to the dam so this shut down was going to happen with or without the drought because we are replacing the valve which is almost 100 years.” so there is a shutdown but its being driven by the project.
as of today we should be doing slightly less than 10 megawatts and when both plants combined production capacity is 56 MW.
