LUSAKA, Aug 1 (Reuters) – Zambia’s state-owned power utility ZESCO has agreed to buy 218 megawatts (MW) of electricity from South Africa and Zimbabwe to cushion a shortfall caused by reduced hydropower capacity, its energy minister said on Thursday.

Zambia has a deficit of more than 1,000 MW which is expected worsen as water levels at the key Kariba hydropower plant recede due to lower rainfall and drier conditions. Hydropower generates over 75% of Zambia’s installed capacity of 3,777 MW.

Energy Minister Makozo Chikote said the coal-fired Maamba Energy would also shut down for routine maintenance from the end of August into September, taking out a further 135 MW of power generation in Africa’s second-largest copper producer.

“ZESCO has negotiated the procurement of 218 MW of power from Eskom, South Africa and Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) to cushion the anticipated deficit,” Chikote said.

The electricity from the two neighbouring power utilities was expected to supply Zambia’s national grid this month, he said in a statement.

(Reporting by Chris Mfula; Editing by Wendell Roelf and Bernadette Baum)