Zambia, Moz joint coal-powered plant progresses
Published On June 23, 2016 » 1495 Views» By Davies M.M Chanda » HOME SLIDE SHOW, SHOWCASE
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. President Nyusi

. President Nyusi

By REBECCA MUSHOTA –
ZAMBIA and Mozambique have made progress in operationalising a joint coal-powered plant that will boost energy supply to both countries.
This was revealed yesterday when Mozambican President Filipe Nyusu sent a special envoy to President Edgar Lungu to discuss details of the joint coal-powered energy plant that the two countries have embarked on.
President Lungu and President Nyusu have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a coal-powered energy plant in Tete Province in Mozambique that will provide power to Zambia and Mozambique, further boosting electricity availability to both countries.
The MoU was signed when President Lungu visited Mozambique two months ago.
President Nyusu sent the special envoy, Mozambican Minister of Energy and Mineral Development Pedro Couto to deliver a message to President Lungu yesterday.
Mr Pedro said that Mozambique was happy to currently work with Zambia by supplying power to Zambia through the electricity interconnector.
“Mozambique is looking forward to further cooperation with Zambia. We need to continue interacting and working on the MoU,” he said.
President Lungu in receiving the message said he was happy with the support Zambia was receiving from Mozambique through the supply of electricity to mitigate the power deficit the country was experiencing as a result of low water levels in the Kariba Dam, Zambia’s major source of electricity.
“We are grateful for your cooperation. It is not only helping us with lighting but impacting positively on our economy,” he said.
Mr Lungu said he was looking forward to more cooperation in the energy sector with Mozambique.
After the meeting, President Lungu’s Special Assistant for Press and Public Relations Amos Chanda said Mr Pedro was sent by President Nyusu to discuss details of the 1,200 mega watts coal-powered energy plant which would be based in Mozambique.
So far, the two countries have agreed on the practical steps that will be announced when presidents Nyusu and Lungu meet in Zambia early next month after they finalise the details.
President Nyusu is gracing this year’s Zambia International Trade Fair in Ndola.
He said the joint energy project was under the auspices of the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Japanese government.
“President Lungu assured the Mozambican government that the matter of the coal-powered plant was of priority to the Zambian Government,” Mr Chanda said.
Meanwhile, President Lungu is today scheduled to commission a hospital in Luangwa District.
Mr Chanda said the President would also hold a rally afterwards.
He said on Friday, Mr Lungu is scheduled to meet traditional leaders in Rufunsa as well as hold a rally.
The president will be in Kafue on Saturday where he will tour the Kafue steel plant and later hold a rally.

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