Kabompo hydro power construction starts 2016
Published On September 24, 2015 » 1898 Views» By Davies M.M Chanda » Latest News
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By JAMES KUNDA –
CONSTRUCTION of the 40 megawatts (MW) Kabompo gorge hydroelectric power station at a cost of more than US$220 million in North-Western Province will commence next year.
This follows the signing of the implementation agreement for the project by the Government and Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC) in Lusaka yesterday.
The project scheduled for completion in 2018, would be undertaken by CEC’s subsidiary Kabompo Hydro Power Limited (CEC-KHPL), which had already spent $32.6 million in the pre-phase of construction.
More than 1,000 jobs would be created for the local people during construction, while 44 Zambians would be engaged to manage the power station once it was fully operational.
During the signing of the implementation agreement at Taj Pamodzi Hotel yesterday, CEC and KHPL board chairperson Hanson Sindowe said the project would substantively alleviate the power challenges in the country.
“This project in Mwinilunga is strategic to alleviating the power shortage and stabilise the national grid. What we are witnessing here today gives us the impetus to move ahead with the project and contribute a solution to the power deficit,” he said.
Mr Sindowe said CEC was pioneering the exploitation of other sources of energy such as biodiesel, biomass and solar to reduce the country’s dependence on hydro-generated electricity.
“We have also invested $18 million in putting up the 550MW Zambia-Congo interconnector line, further demonstrating that CEC is a reliable partner in developing the economy through the energy sector,” he said.
Mines, Energy and Water Development permanent secretary Emelda Chola said the Government would closely monitor the project to ensure prompt execution.
Brigadier General Chola said sustainable power projects such as the Kabompo Hydro would stimulate social economic growth through job creation during the construction and operational phases.
Gen Chola said the Government was urgently addressing issues surrounding the attraction of fresh investment into the electricity generation sector.

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