ZESCO has imported a US$4.4 million transformer from India that will ease the incidence of load shedding in Lusaka.
The power firm has also embarked on a $53 million project to upgrade its power distribution network for the capital city alone.
Acting managing director, Cyprian Chitundu said in Lusaka on Friday at the Southern Sun Hotel when his team met editors from different media organisations that the transformer from India was scheduled to leave that country on September 16, 2009, via Durban, South Africa.
“As soon at it arrives, we start the installation. Our engineers had travelled to India to look at the transformer and it was certified fit for our need. This machine will help us remove the constraints at the Leopards Hill transformer that was badly affected by the fire.
“If all goes according to plan, by Christmas time, load shedding in Lusaka will be a thing of the past because Leopards Hill will be unlocked,” he said.
He said the transformer would come with additional components to replace most of the damaged components at Leopards Hill.
Among other challenges Zesco was facing was the distribution network that had seen little rehabilitation for over 40 years while the distribution line needed to be replaced.
“We have problems in this area but we are in the process of solving these problems. We are talking to some cooperating partners on the $53 million for the distribution network but we are already putting in $10 million on our own so that the project can start,” Mr Chitundu said.
Once the rehabilitation of the existing major power stations was completed next year and a number of smaller power stations like Lunzua and Lusiwasi were developed, Zambia would have enough power for consumption and export.
Lunzua had an installation capacity of 0.75Mega watts that has over time reduced to 0.52Mw but will now be upgraded to produce 10Mw so that it could supply power to Mbala, Nakonde, Ksaba Bay and export some to Tanzania.
Mr Chitundu defended the company’s venturing into transformer and meter production saying this was an import substitution.
“What we are doing is for the benefit of the nation. Imagine how many transformers we need as a company and how many meters, and the cost of importing these items. By venturing into this project, we are encouraging private sector participation, creating employment, adding value to copper and at the same time assist in maintaining tariffs at acceptable levels,” he said.
He said at the end of the day, Zesco envisaged to produce a total of 1,800 Mw from all power stations that would be sufficient to supply the whole nation including the mines.
“We also want to introduce a consumer charter aimed at promising consumers of power how fast problems would be solved,” he said.
[Times of Zambia]
I think Swedsih or Germany made transformer would have been better. Indian TATA?????
Buy five more…this nonsense of load shedding should come to an end!!!
To make matters worse, you buy with no spare parts!!
I was made to understand that those transformers from India are not suitable. Transformers from India installed at Kafue Gorge Power Station have been of concern in terms of performance. Why did these pipo concerned source from Alstom, France or German. The same concern was raised when Kapatura was awarded a contract to construct Chingola -Kansanshi – Lumwana Mines Power line, the guys used old pylons which were done for Tika and close examination by an expert will reavel that its a matter of time when those towers will collapse. When you cost benefit analysis in the long term cheap is expensive and this is the line Zesco is taking. We need to import equipment that will be durable. There to many underhand methods at Zesco.
# 1 Zambiano india has one of the best engineers in the world, so i think buying one from there is not a bad idea. I just hope that the new transformer will add some value to the low service Zesco has been giving to lusaka residents.
those bureaucrats at zesco have no real business expertise or live-or-die-by-the-bottom-line discipline. just liberalize the energy/power industry and privatize zesco … this nonsense of load shedding should come to an end now!!
Mulongoti, please leave us in peace and you follow Tetamashimba
Is US$4.4 million realistic cost for one transformer? What’s the capacity of the transformer? The writer of the story doesn’t give any information about the size of the transformer. The cost alone doesn’t say anything, it may even give one an impression that the cost was inflated for personal gain….you know Zambia!
#7, you are right. We need sanity in Zambia politics. Everyone is so scared of RB. Why????????
# 5, Im with you.
#4 has the true data!! transformer is not off da shelf item i.e. someone elses reject thus readily available for shipping!!
Hello,
Dear sirs / madams
here is anahita group. it is based on merchant import & export. we are in a position to export to Zambia. as we have no agent or distributors for transformers in Zambia. that’s why we are interesting to introduce ours transformers to you directly for generate energy. its totally approved for export from ERDA India. please kindly let us know about your requirements of particular type and design & response for importing transformer from India. so i will be send you browsers with all details of requested type and designs of power supply transformers.