By JAMES KUNDA-
ZAMBIA is expected to increase the total electricity output by 600 Megawatts (MW) by the end of this year after completing power generation projects in selected parts of the country.
According to the latest edition of the Africa Report, Zambia has invested heavily in electricity infrastructure for mining expansion and enlarged sales in the Southern Africa Development Community region.
“A series of new power plants to come on line this year will make the country’s electricity production surge. Zambia currently produces a little more than 2,200MW per annum, but this is set to increase by more than 600MW by the end of the year as the Kariba North Bank extension and Maamba power plant begin production,” says the report.
The report says electricity supply in Africa’s second largest producer of copper will be further boosted by output from the 120MW Itezhi-Tezhi Hydro-Power generating station, which is slated to start production in 2015.
As a member of the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP), which has facilitated electricity sales, Zambia already provides up to 100MW of emergency electricity to neighbouring Botswana.
Electricity supplier Zesco is also on course with the 750MW Kafue Gorge Lower power station project.
The proposed completion deadline of the Kafue Gorge has been adjusted from 2018 to 2021 due to difficulties in securing financing of up to US$2 billion.
