https://newsletter.en.creamermedia.com
Africa|Energy|Hydropower|Mining|Power|Water
Africa|Energy|Hydropower|Mining|Power|Water
africa|energy|hydropower|mining|power|water

Zambia may import 300 MW of power from South Africa, prices could double – minister

17th September 2019

By: Reuters

  

Font size: - +

Zambia is in talks with South African power utility Eskom to import 300 MW of electricity, Energy Minister Mathew Nkhuwa said on Tuesday, adding that retail prices could double once imports begin.

Zambia has a power deficit of more than 750 MW because of low water levels at hydropower dams, Nkhuwa told reporters on the sidelines of an energy meeting. He gave no timeframe for when imports could start.

"(Retail prices) will be maybe double the amount because we are paying half the amount that we are supposed to pay for electricity," Nkhuwa said.

Zambia, which has been rationing power after a severe drought hit its hydropower sector, has historically priced electricity below the cost of production via subsidies. Only in recent years has the country started gradually to raise prices.

In 2017, Zambia's energy regulator approved a 75% price hike for electricity retail consumers and introduced a flat $0.093/kWh tariff for mining companies.

Nkhuwa said the government also planned to send a delegation to Mozambique to negotiate a new power-purchase agreement.

Zambia cut its economic growth forecast to around 2% for 2019, from an estimated 4%, due to the impact of the drought on its power supply and agricultural production.

Edited by Reuters

Comments

Showroom

SABAT
SABAT

From batteries for boats and jet skis, to batteries for cars and quad bikes, SABAT Batteries has positioned itself as the lifestyle battery of...

VISIT SHOWROOM 
Weir
Weir

Weir is a global leader in mining technology. We recognise that our planet’s future depends on the transition to renewable energy, and that...

VISIT SHOWROOM 

Latest Multimedia

sponsored by

Magazine video image
Magazine round up | 20 June 2025
20th June 2025
Powerfleet GM – Africa Retail Ryan Colyn tells Engineering News that South Africa presents unique challenges in vehicle safety and fleet management
Powerfleet Retail drives innovation and safety in mobility
19th June 2025

Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):

Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format

Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):

All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.

Already a subscriber?

Forgotten your password?

MAGAZINE & ONLINE

SUBSCRIBE

RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA

SUBSCRIBE

CORPORATE PACKAGES

CLICK FOR A QUOTATION







sq:0.114 0.206s - 186pq - 2rq
Subscribe Now