The Rural Electrification Authority (REA) says the construction of a mini hydro power station in Kasanjiku, Chief Ntambo’s area in Mwinilunga district in North-Western has been completed.
Authority Corporate Affairs Manager Justin Mukosa told Money FM News in an interview that the Kasanjiku project which has been constructed at a cost of 8.6 million US dollars is one of the biggest projects REA has undertaken and it is going to going to power close to 11, 000 people in the area.
Mr. Mukosa said the project was supposed to be commissioned during the first quarter of the year, but that because of the current health situation in the country, the contractor, a Chinese Company has failed travel to Zambia, hence the commissioning is still on hold.
“One of the biggest projects we have undertaken is the mini hydro power station which is going to power close to 11, 000 catchment in terms of population.”
“It was supposed to be commissioned during the first quarter of the year, but then because of the environment we are living in especially during the first part of the year, the contractor who is a Chinese company could not travel to Zambia, so up to now things are on hold in terms of technically commissioning project,” Mr. Mukosa said.
Meanwhile, Mr. Mukosa disclosed that the Authority is also constructing a solar mini grid in the Kafue National Park at a place called Chunga.
He said so far civil works in terms of the housing structures, power station, administrative and staff offices have already been done.
“We are also going on with the solar mini grid that we are constructing in Kafue National Park at a place called Chunga. So far we have done the civil works in terms of the housing structures, power station, the administrative offices and staff offices.”
“The next stage is to do the technical equipment in terms of solar panels, the investors, the battery banks among others,” he stated.