LUSAKA, June 26 (Xinhua) -- Zambia's state-run power utility Zesco Limited has said its residential customers will now have only five hours of electricity supply, down from seven, due to reduced generation capacity.

The announcement was made Wednesday following the shutdown of one generator at a coal-fired power plant, which led to a loss of 150 megawatts from the national grid.

"This loss further constrains our supply capacity, leading us into Stage 10 of load management. At this stage, residential customers will receive five hours of electricity supply," the utility said.

The new measures will not affect industrial consumers, farmers, or critical infrastructure such as hospitals, water treatment facilities, and security installations, Zesco said.

Zambia is grappling with a major electricity deficit, largely due to declining water levels at major hydropower stations, an effect of the drought experienced during the 2023/2024 rainy season.

Hydropower accounts for roughly 80 percent of Zambia's electricity generation.

As a result, households across the country are enduring extended daily blackouts.

According to the Ministry of Energy, Zambia's electricity generation capacity as of May 30 stood at 1,806 megawatts, while national demand averaged around 2,400 megawatts, leaving a shortfall of 594 megawatts. Enditem