By JAMES KUNDA –
ZAMBIA and Tanzania have agreed to construct an additional pipeline that will be used to ferry refined fuel between the two countries.
The two countries are also expected to soon commence the rehabilitation of the existing Tanzania-Zambia Mafuta (TAZAMA) oil pipeline.
Meanwhile, Zambia will actively explore the possibility of procuring natural gas from Tanzania to be used for power generation in Northern Province.

. Yaluma

Mines,Energy and Water development Minister Christopher Yaluma said in an interview  that a feasibility study will soon be conducted on both projects to conclude modalities such as the cost structure and project implementation time frame.
Mr Yaluma disclosed that this was arrived at when President Edgar Lungu met his Tanzanian counterpart Jakaya Kikwete in Lusaka recently.
He said the TAZAMA pipeline between Dar-es-Salaam and Indeni Petroleum Refinery in Ndola was dilapidated and required certain segments to be rehabilitated to avert leakages.
“We have agreed to expeditiously rehabilitate and upgrade the existing TAZAMA pipeline which is prone to leakages.
“We also want to put up a separate pipeline to carter for refined crude oil that will feed directly into selected fuel storage depots without going to Indeni for refining,” he said.
He said the move will contribute to sustainable fuel supply as Indeni required modification of various components to refine various crude oil and operate at full capacity.
Mr Yaluma and his Tanzanian counterpart George Simbachawene will soon discuss the possibility of Zambia procuring natural gas from the neighboring country for power generation in Northern Province.
This was part of the agreement by the two Heads of State to explore the possibility of jointly exploiting renewable energy sources.
Mr Yaluma said the two Governments’ would also work on upgrading of the electricity supply to Sumbawanga in Tanzania from Mbala in Zambia in order to improve quality of power supply.
“We are constructing a 330 Kilovolts (KV) transmission line from Pensulo sub-station to Kasama, from where a 132 KV transmission line will connect to feed Mbala,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mr Yaluma is expected to join principal secretary in the Kenyan Ministry of Energy Joseph Njoroge and Rwandan minister of Infrastructure James Musoni at the powering East Africa meeting slated for March 25-27 in Nairobi, Kenya.
The meeting, which would also include senior advisor in charge of finance in the office of the President of Uganda, Maria Kiwanuka would be held to address the power sector and shape regional infrastructure planning.
This is according to a statement released by Energy Net Limited in Nairobi.