KAPATA
By JAMES KUNDA-
ZESCO has said the project of connecting selected parts of North-western Province to the national electricity grid will commence next month at a total cost of US$163 million.
Zesco spokesperson, Henry Kapata said in an interview that the project was expected to be completed within a period of 24 months and 1,000 jobs would be created for the local people.
Mr Kapata disclosed that Zesco had contracted Eltel Networks of Sweden to undertake the project for which funding was sourced from Swedish owned Nordia Bank and Standard Bank of South Africa.
“A down payment of $30 million has since been made to the contractor who is expected to move on site and commence works by June, this year.
“These funds were sourced through an agreement signed between Zesco, Nordia Bank and Standard Bank,” Mr Kapata said.
He said the scope of works included construction of kilo volt (KV) lines from Mwinilunga and Mufumbwe via designated points from where Zesco taps electricity and onto the national grid.
Mr Kapata said Zesco spent a lot of money on servicing areas that depend on diesel generated electricity in the province, hence the move to extend connectivity to the national grid.
“Zesco is spending $80 million per annum to service selected areas that are dependent on diesel generated electricity, hence the move to connect these places to the national grid,” he said.
