ZAMBIA will not face power shortages this year because the measures the Government has taken to increase power generation capacity will be able to add 210 megawatts (MW) of electricity to the national grid, Energy and Water Development Permanent Secretary, Teddy Kasonso has said.
The country had battled with rising demand in 2008 as a result of increased investments in the mining sector, and it was feared that there would be serious power shortages this year if nothing was done to raise power production.
The power utility, Zesco has undertaken major upgrading and rehabilitation of generation infrastructure at Kafue Gorge and Kariba North Bank to increase capacity and meet the rising demand for electricity. It also carried out load shedding to ration the commodity.
Mr Kasonso said in a statement in Lusaka yesterday that studies had revealed that extra demand for electricity as a result of new development projects was unlikely to exceed the 210 MW that Zesco would add to the grid this year.
He said the rehabilitation of the Kafue Gorge power project had added 90 MW to the power generation capacity while the upgrading of Kariba North Bank power station would add another 90 MW. The remaining 30 MW would be added this year.
“It is unlikely that Zambia will experience a power deficit by the end of this year unless we have a drought,” he said.
Mr Kasonso said the investments in the generation capacity should be sustained, otherwise the country risked experiencing a deficit by the year 2013.
Zambia generates 1,400 MW of electricity, and consumes about 800 MW during the day, but demand rises to 1,500 MW at peak during the night, according to Zesco estimates.
Zesco has also undertaken to extend the Kariba North Bank power station to add 360 MW of power generation capacity, as well as to develop the 120 MW Itezhi-tezhi power plant under a joint venture investment with Tata Africa Holdings.
Mr Kasonso said apart from the projects being undertaken by Zesco, the Government was engaging the private sector to participate in the development of projects like the 218 MW Kalungwishi hydroelectric project, which would be constructed by Zambian company, Lunzua Power Authority.
“This is a $641 million project. Construction could start as early as next year with commissioning expected in 2014,” Mr Kasonso said.
The Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC), which supplies power to the country’s mines, is also working on the 33 MW Kabompo Gorge hydroelectric project for which studies are due to be completed in March, and it is earmarked for commissioning by 2015.
But the major project will be the earmarked development of the the 600MW Kafue Gorge Lower hydropower plant expected to cost $1.5 billion, whose commissioning is expected in 2017.
[Times of Zambia]
good news indeed.=d>
If what Mr Kasonso is saying is true then “Kudos!!!” Next and of equal importance is increasing distribution and coverage. We need to electrify ALL townships, small towns and even the rural areas. Only then can we say we ahave arrived
As from when because there was no power yesterday when i was watching Ghana/Burkina Faso:-?
There was no power yesterday from 19hrs to 2025hrs. When Zesco says this year, do they mean from December 31st 2010???
Thats good to hear but can this man tell us from when’timer frame please’ because we are facing load shedding on a daily basis from 1800hrs to 2030hrs in matero area.We are even forced to go and watch football from bars were they have Power generators.