The Itezhi Tezhi Power Corporation – ITPC, a joint venture company between ZESCO and Tata Africa has revealed that they are now capable of supplying 120MW of power generated to ZESCO, the Company is now able to produce at almost full capacity following improved water levels following a good spell Of rainfall and in some cases flush floods.
ITPC had earlier disclosed that the company was only generating 80MW out of 120 MW installed capacity due to low water levels, a situation which had contributed to recent experienced load shedding that slowed down the economy losing about one month in nationals production and socio-economic disruption.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with the Zambian Business Times – ZBT, ITPC Chief Executive Officer Moses Mbuta said the Company is now able to produce about 110 megawatts and it expects to start generating at full capacity (120MW) before end of February 2023.
Mbuta said the current produced 110MW of power is being supplied to ZESCO but declined to reveal the tariff or price at which power is supplied per megawatt to ZESCO, a state owned Power utility. Calls to list even 5% of ZESCO shares on Lusaka Securities Exchange – LuSE have arisen due to concerns over abuse by successive politicians, poor Corporates governance practices and lack of timely financials and operational reports, which would become mandatory if listed.
Mbuta said because of the variable of low water levels in reservoirs, the company was in the last few months unable to produce at full capacity and be able to challenge the rising demand of power.
According to electricity producers, there was low water levels in major rivers on which dams have been constructed to generate electricity a situation which had resulted in less power generation in the country and a one month return to crippling load shedding.
Mbuta said the company is however trying by all means to ensure that generation is at full capacity and support the State owned power Utility Company ZESCO and the country at large.
