A cement producing company on the Copperbelt says it is working in collaboration with the Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC) to inject 22 Megawatts of power into the national grid.
Speaking in an interview with Money FM News, Project Manager Rueben Munungwe said the construction of the power plant which is at 98% completion level, is expected to be commissioned at the end of this month.
Mr. Munungwe stated that once commissioned, the power plant which is being constructed at a cost of over 6 million US dollars, will play a significant role in reducing the country’s power deficit because as it stands, the amount of electricity demand is more than supply.
“The Power plant actually exists, the project has been mainly on the linkage part, the substation and transmission line required to link the pipeline to the existing grid.
“The project on our side involved the construction of a 66KV transmission line from one of our existing substation in Ndola refinery, this line was 15.5 kilometers going into Masaiti district where we constructed a brand new substation which is a 30 Mva,” Mr. Munungwe said.
He added that the project involves the construction of a 66 kilovolts transmission line from one of the existing substation in Ndola refinery which is 15.5 kilometers going into Masaiti district where they have constructed a brand new substation which is a 30 megavolt amperes (MVA).
Mr. Munungwe further said 22 megawatts is a very considerable amount as it can supply power for the whole residential and commercial demand in Luanshya town, hence it will have a lot of economic benefits for the Copperbelt community and the country at large.
“As you are aware, Zambia has had a power deficit and the deficit means the amount of demand far outweighs the amount of power supply. If you look at the town of Luanshya, you can actually supply that 22 megawatts, for the whole residential and commercial demand.”
“This Power plant is going to be reduced by 22MW, and that is a very considerable number as it can supply power for the whole residential and commercial demand in Luanshya town. Copperbelt almost accounts for 50 percent of Zambia’s power production so definitely the biggest area of the deficit is the Copperbelt,” he stated.