By JULIUS PHIRI –
TBEA Company Limited has said the construction of 330kV power transmission project at a cost of US$330 million will spur economic development in Eastern Province.
Currently, TBEA Company Limited of China was constructing the 330kV project of Pensulo-Mpika-Kasama and Pensulo-Msoro-Chipata West transmission project which is set to increase access to electricity in Eastern Province.
The whole 330kV power transmission project starts from Kasama via Mpika to Pensulo and through Luangwa National Park to Msoro and Chipata with a stretch of 670 kilometres.
The project would also include the upgrading of three already existing substations in Kasama, Msoro and Chipata towns.
TBEA site manager Shih Shaokuang told journalists in Chipata that TBEA would do the level best to finish the project with high quality and within the contract period.
He said the project which was scheduled for commissioning in May 2015 would address the electricity shortage in the Eastern Province. It is also expected to draw foreign and domestic investments in the region.
“The most important thing is people in the Eastern Province can benefit from this project as electricity will be more available. We will do our best to finish this project with high quality and within the contract period,” Mr Shih said.
About 229 towers have been assembled and erected on the power transmission project while 350 tower foundations have been done.
All the 403 towers are expected to be erected this year while the stringing between Luangwa River and Msoro would equally be finished.
Mr Shih said TBEA has finished works on the Msoro 330kV substation control building and the entire foundation wall as well as the erection of gantries.
He explained that the Chipata 330 kV substation works were on and that currently, the process of casting the foundation and constructing the control building was on, saying 33kV gantries had already been erected.
“We are planning to finish the foundation and construction of the control building before November 15, 2014. In the meantime, we are erecting gantries which will be finished before December this year,” Mr Shih said.