Lungu said poor rainfall in 2015 and early 2016 caused electricity generation to drop by 3.3 percent last year. A further 38.9 percent was expected in 2016.
… power generation in countries such as Zambia and Zimbabwe [is] expected to return to normal only in three years
“The effects of these developments are expected to take long to moderate with power generation in countries such as Zambia and Zimbabwe expected to return to normal only in three years,” Lungu at the opening of an African Development Bank (AfDB) meeting.
The power deficit has hit mining and agriculture, pegging back 2015 economic growth to 3.2 percent against a target of 7 percent.
Growth this year is now seen at 3.5 percent, lower than the 7 earlier projected percent, Lungu said.
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