Govt to fund energy sector

THE GOVERNMENT is funding the energy sector to ensure that there is enough capacity in this critical sector.

The country has been experiencing massive power cuts.

Energy and Power Development Minister, Soda Zhemu, said they are working on ensuring that enough electricity is generated.

'We have been experiencing load shedding for quite some time.

'Our generation has always been behind, our average daily demand is around 1 600 megawatts, against a total available capacity of between 1 250MW and 1 300MW,' he said.

'Load shedding is not as a result of lost capacity at Kariba as it has been there for some time.

'We still think that after this temporary shutdown of some units at Kariba, we shall have a review in January next year.

'Load shedding is envisaged to disappear when Unit 7 comes in and after the review of the hydro-logical problem which has affected generation in Kariba.'

He added:

'Our economy is growing faster than the rate at which energy is being provided,' he said.

'As long as we are still importing electricity, there is no way we will clear our debts.

'One thing we are happy about is that they continue to supply us with electricity.'