By MAIMBOLWA MULIKELELA –

THE Kafue Gorge Regional Training Centre (KGRT) will invest about US$29 million in the construction of a five-megawatt hydro power plant, renewable energy demonstration facilities and a learning centre.

KGRT director Kaela Kennedy Siame said his institution planned to invest about US$29 million in building of a five-megawatts hydro power plant at Kafue Gorge Lower in Namalundu.

Mr Siame said the hydro power plant would have ancillary transmission structures, and would be connected to the national grid for live training and income generation.

Response to a press query, Mr Siame said construction of the hydro power plant would address the bottlenecks being faced by KGRTC which relies on ZESCO’s power stations for demonstration and practical experience.

Recently, KGRTC received a US$3.8-million grant from the Swedish Government for the implementation of feasibility studies.

Mr Siame said his institution was expected to construct demonstration facilities for wind, solar and biomass to promote research and development in renewable energy technologies.

“The investment will also be used for the simulator equipment and switchyards for analysis of electricity transmission and distribution network and construction of a new learning centre incorporating offies, guest rooms, restaurant, printing press, laboratories and multipurpose conference rooms,” he said.

Mr Siame said the project would be carried out in two phases with the entire project implementation plan spanning over a period of four years. Phase one will involve consultancy services to undertake all preparatory works to determine the scope of works and ascertain the required investment for all the areas.

Mr Siame said phase two would involve actual construction works and supervision for physical infrastructure and installation of simulator equipment and all support facilities for business development of KGRTC.