Southern African countries have started power country inter-connections to avoid disruptions during natural calamities, according to Zambia Daily Mail on Saturday.

It quoted Managing Director of The Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) Rodney Sisala as saying in Lusaka that the natural calamities have had devastating effects on power supply in various countries, which could only be avoided with inter- connections.

He told visiting Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission Chairman Wendell Holland that Zambia has commenced discussion with Angola to enable the two countries enter into inter-connections.

"Economic growth in Zambia and other countries demands that we inter-connect. If each country pursues to work in isolation, it would not meet its demand. When you are integrated, there are advantages in case you have power failure it would be easier to import from another country," he said.

He said that the inter-connection with Angola is cardinal because of the high demand for power in North-Western province following the reopening of mines in the province of Zambia.

Holland expressed his support for the idea of inter-connections, saying that it will enhance trade opportunities between Zambia and its neighbors.

He said African countries should realize that it is time they started working together.

Source: Xinhua