Zesco cuts power to only 4 hours of supply daily due to “extreme challenges in electricity generation and access”

(Zesco cuts power to only 4 hours of supply daily due to “extreme challenges in electricity generation and access”)

ZESCO CUSTOMER NOTICE:

ELECTRICITY SCHEDULES: 12 – 18 OCTOBER 2025

#PowerRationingSchedules#Stage11
#Week41

ZESCO regrets to inform its customers and the public that due to extreme challenges in electricity generation and access, the Corporation has activated Stage 11 of Emergency Load Management. Consequently, the electricity rationing schedules for the week, 12 to 18 October 2025, reflect four (4) hours of supply daily for the majority of our residential customers.

The reduction in supply is due to several factors, including:
• Transmission bottlenecks affecting cross-border power flow,
• Regional power system disturbances,
• Critically low water levels in all our hydropower stations, limiting our ability to increase output.

As a result, ZESCO is unable to sustain Stage 10 of load management, where residential customers receive six hours of electricity daily. Under Stage 11, the majority of our residential customers will receive 4 hours of electricity daily.
The disruption to life and commerce caused by insufficient electricity is fully appreciated and deeply regretted. This transition is necessary to maintain the stability of the electricity network and prevent the system from collapsing.
ZESCO is working hard and doing everything possible within its means to resolve the challenges affecting the generation and transmission system and restore better service through improved electricity supply.

To access the schedule for your area, dial *3600#, select option 5, and enter your meter number. You can also use My ZESCO mobile app, visit our website at www.zesco.co.zm or dial our call center numbers 0211 363636 or 322 to check your area’s schedule.

ZESCO remains committed to adhering to the published schedules but faults and other unplanned outages, including those caused by vandalism and theft of our electrical installations, may disrupt these plans. The Corporation will endeavor to promptly communicate such disruptions to the affected customers via SMS, WhatsApp, Facebook, and other media channels. To keep track of any changes, ZESCO encourages customers to register for SMS Updates on *3600#.

Customers are urged to report any outage lasting longer than 24 hours and to help curb the high levels of vandalism and theft by reporting any suspicious activity to law enforcement agencies.

Issued By
Corporate Affairs Department
13 October 2025