ZESCO Limited says it is carrying out scheduled maintenance on electricity infrastructure across the country as part of preparations for the upcoming rainy season.
The power utility says the maintenance is aimed at strengthening the electricity network and ensuring a safe and reliable supply. According to ZESCO, infrastructure becomes more vulnerable during the rainy season due to lightning, strong winds, falling trees and flooding.
The maintenance programme includes inspecting, repairing and replacing equipment, clearing vegetation around power lines, and correcting defects at substations and along distribution lines.
ZESCO has stressed that interruptions resulting from this work should not be confused with load shedding. The utility explained that scheduled maintenance involves planned, localised and time-bound interruptions that allow engineers to safely work on specific sections of the network.
Load shedding, on the other hand, involves the controlled reduction of electricity demand when available power generation is insufficient to meet national demand.
ZESCO said the current maintenance-related outages do not signal a return to load shedding, with only specifically identified areas expected to be affected.
Customers will be notified in advance about planned interruptions through SMS, public notices, traditional media and digital media platforms.
The utility has also urged members of the public to treat all electricity lines and equipment as live, even when there is an interruption.
Customers are encouraged to immediately report fallen power conductors, damaged poles and exposed cables to ZESCO to help prevent accidents and protect the public.
