NATIONAL power utility, Zesa, has downgraded load shedding from stage two to stage one after it started receiving 400 MW supply from Eskom of South Africa last Thursday, an official has said.

Zesa will now cut off power during the morning and evening peak hours.
The peak hours are 5AM to 10AM and 5PM to 10PM and are largely predictable and easy to plan for. The development comes after Government made arrangements with the South African firm to offset its US$23 million debt by paying US$890 000 weekly.

In an interview, Zesa spokesperson Mr Fullard Gwasira said the new development will not do away with load shedding completely, but will downgrade to level one.

“The electricity supply situation has improved significantly, following interventions by both Government and the line Ministry to access power from the region.

“I can confirm that we started receiving power from Eskom on Thursday after payment modalities were worked out by both utilities.

This power supply situation gives predictability to load shedding and largely puts all customers in Stage 1 load shedding. So there is significant relief, but does not eliminate load shedding,” said Mr Gwasira.

He said the peak times will be from 5 AM to 10AM and 5PM to 10PM and that consumers would be guided accordingly.-State media