Zambia's power utility company to commission Kafue Gorge Lower hydro plant in September

Zambia’s power utility company ZESCO, has said it expects operations at the Kafue Gorge Lower power plant to start in September this year.

The commissioning of the new power plant in the third quarter will go a long way in alleviating power shortages and load shedding that has impacted Zambia’s economic growth with businesses experiencing load shedding of up to 15 hours a day.

ZESCO Board chairman Dr Mbita Chitala, said the construction works at the hydro power site are at 96% and is expected to start operating in September.

Chitala told public broadcaster ZNBC News that the Kafue Gorge Lower hydro power plant is expected to generate over 750MW once operational and will reduce the load shedding hours the country was currently experiencing.

He added that the delay in the plant being completed on time is due to the COVID -19 pandemic that has not only affected Zambia but the globe. “Employees of the contractor Sino Hydro went on break in China and have not come back since,” he said.

Chitala explained that the Zambian government has availed ($186m) from the Eurobond to ZESCO which was directed to the construction of the Kafue Gorge Lower power plant.

The state-owned power company, which supplies majority of electricity needs to domestic and commercial customers, has struggled to generate power to meet market demand with customers experiencing load shedding of up to 15 hours a day.

In the last five years Zambia has experienced changeable rainfall patterns and a lack of investment and diversification in renewable energy sources like solar and wind turbines has exacerbated ZESCO’s capacity to meet domestic demand.

Majority of Zambia’s electricity power generation comes from the Kariba North Hydro Power Plant, which it shares with neighbour Zimbabwe and has been limited by the amount of power it can generate due to the drought and lower water levels at the dam.