ZESCO (acronym for Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation Limited) is a state-owned power company in Zambia. It is Zambia's largest power company, producing approximately 80% of the country's electricity consumption. Additionally, ZESCO represents Zambia in the Southern African Power Pool.
History
ZESCO was formed as Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation Limited by the National Assembly of Zambia in December 1969. It took over responsibilities from several municipalities and the three existing utilities: Victoria Falls Power Board, Central Electricity Corporation, and Northern Electricity Supply Corporation.[1]
Operations
The company operates nine hydropower stations with a combined potential capacity of 2,217.5 MW and eight small thermal power plants with a combined potential capacity of 11.3 MW, resulting in a total of 2,228.8 MW. Due to poor maintenance and substandard practices, these capacities are not achieved.[2]
Moreover, the company also owns and operates power distribution and transmission lines of 9,975 km.