1. LOAD SHEDDING; IMPACT ON BUSINESS ACTIVITIES
RESEARCH PROJECT
LOAD SHEDDING; IMPACT ON BUSINESS ACTIVITIES

2. Introduction
Lusaka is the capital city of Zambia, a country in the Central African Plateau with an average altitude of 1,000 to 1,400 m above sea level. The population of Lusaka is diverse and consists of people from all the ethnic groups found in Zambia, as well as a small proportion of people of European and Asian origin. Lusaka, like the other towns across the nation experiences load shedding. ZESCO publicized its load shedding schedule affecting all its customers. All areas are off power seven days a week, either from 00:00-05:00, 05:00-10:00, 10:00-15:00, 15:00-20:00 or 20:00-00:00, although this is not strictly applied to. The dramatic increase in load shedding has been brought about by falling water levels in the Kariba Dam, and by developments in the mining sector, leading to a current deficit of 560 MW, up from about 400 MW in April ZESCO can generate a maximum of 2,200 MW – when everything is in full flow.

3. MAP AND LOCATION OF LUSAKA

4. Distribution of questionnaires according to constituencies

5. Statistics of population density of the areas researched on

6. Percentage statistics of sex of respondents

7. Marital status of respondents
The table below shows that 31 of the 50 respondents are married and 19 are married.

8. Education background
The education background shows that 43 of the 50 respondents attended tertiary education and 6 of them attended secondary education. While 1 didn’t indicate.

9. Employment status
The employment status indicated that 44 are in employment, 1 is retired and the other 1 is not in employment. While 4 didn’t indicate their employment status.

10. Standards of living
The table below shows the levels of standard of living of respondents. The table shows that 26 respondents have high standards of living and 23 have medium standards of living. However 1 respondent didn’t indicate the levels of standards of living.

11. AFFORDABILITY OF ELECTRICITY
The table below shows responses as to whether electricity is affordable for respondents. Out of 50 respondents 38 think electricity is affordable, 11 think its not and 1 didn’t indicate.

12. Has crime increased with increased load shedding
Out of 50 respondents, 48 think that crime has increased with increased load shedding and 1 respondent thinks crime hasn’t increase with increased load shedding. While 1 didn’t indicate a response.

13. Attacks by thieves during load shedding
Out of 50 respondents, 42 have not been attacked by thieves during load shedding, while 8 have been attacked.

14. Alternative sources of energy
The pie chart below indicates the various sources of alternative energy used as indicated by respondents.

15. HOW CAN THE GOVERNMENT REDUCE LOAD SHEDDING
The pie chart below shows the various ways respondents thought load shedding could be reduced.

16. HAVE BUSINESS HOURS BEEN AFFECTED BY LOAD SHEDDING
Out of 50, 48 indicated Yes and 2 indicated No. This means that business hours are reduced due to load shedding.

17. ARE TRAFFIC LIGHTS AFFECTED BY LOAD SHEDDING
Out of 50 respondents, 31 indicated Yes, 4 indicated No and 15 didn’t indicate.

18. ARE THERE POWER CUTS AT THE PLACE OF WORK
The table below indicates that 42 are affected by power cuts at the place of work, and 7 are not affected. While 1 didn’t indicate.

19. How is work continued after load shedding
The following table shows alternative sources of energy during load shedding at a place of work.

20. DO ALTERNATIVE SOURCES OF ENERGY INCREASE COST OF PRODUCTION
Out of 50 respondents, 18 indicated yes, 26 indicated No and 6 didn’t indicate anything.

21. SHOULD THE GOVERNMENT EXPORT ELECTRICITY
The table below shows that out of 50 respondents 35 indicated no, 13 indicated yes and 2 didn’t indicate anything.

22. Has the exportation of electricity brought about economic development
The table below shows that 25 indicated yes, 23 indicated no and 2 didn’t indicate anything.

23. WILL LOAD SHEDDING REDUCE CLOSE TO ELECTIONS PERIOD
The table below shows that 28 indicated that load shedding will reduce close to elections period meaning that load shedding has a political motive. While 19 indicated that load shedding will not stop close to elections period and 3 didn’t indicate anything.

24. Have business deals improved since load shedding started
The table below indicates that 4 indicated yes, 44 indicated No while 2 didn’t indicate anything. This means that most business deals are transacted electronically.

25. Have you benefitted from any government initiatives against load shedding
The table below shows that 49 respondents have not benefitted from government initiatives against load shedding and 1 respondent didn’t indicate their response.

26. Awareness of development programs set up to reduce load shedding
Out of 50 respondents 16 indicated yes, 33 indicated no and 1 didn’t indicate anything. This means that the government has not taken up adequate initiatives to reduce/stop load shedding

27. DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS KNOWN TO REDUCE LOAD SHEDDING
The pie chart below shows development programs set up by government to help reduce load shedding.

28. AREAS NOT AFFECTED BY LOAD SHEDDING
The pie chart below shows areas which are not affected by load shedding. This shows that load shedding is instead not in every area/place.

29. Do shanty and rural areas receive more load shedding than urban areas
The table below shows that 42 respondents indicated Yes, 7 indicated No and 1 didn’t indicate anything. From the statistics it shows that rural/shanty compounds are vulnerable to load shedding in the country.

30. SHOULD ZAMBIA IMPORT ELECTRICITY
The table below shows that 26 respondents believe that Zambia should import electricity, 24 believe that Zambia shouldn’t import electricity. This shows that there is a close relationship between those who believe that Zambia should import electricity and those who believe that Zambia shouldn’t import.