Zambian Official Says Power Deficit Poses Serious Threat to Economic Gains
Posted on: Tuesday, 13 May 2008, 00:00 CDT
Text of report by Dave Chibesa entitled "electricity deficit threatens economic gains - Chibiliti" published by Zambian newspaper Zambia Daily Mail website on 12 May
Zambia faces a serious power deficit, which poses a major risk to sustainability and acceleration of recent gains made in the economy.
Secretary to the Treasury, Evans Chibiliti, said this in a communique released after a tour of Kafue Gorge and Kariba North Bank power stations in Siavonga yesterday.
Those in Mr Chibiliti's entourage included Energy and Water Development Permanent Secretary, Peter Mumba and Zesco Limited managing director, Rhodnie Sisala.
The purpose of the visit was to understand in detail issues related to the current power deficit problems and work on the power rehabilitation project (PRP) at Kafue and Kariba and Government's role in addressing the challenges.
The team noted with satisfaction the steady progress being made at Kafue Gorge and Kariba North Bank power stations.
Mr Chibiliti said the crisis could no longer be left to Zesco or the Ministry of Energy and Water Development to resolve.
With the completion of the PRP, 450 mega watts (MW) would be brought back into service and 210 MW would be added to the two power stations.
"The country in the last one year has been faced with a serious power deficit which poses a major risk to sustainability and acceleration of the recent gains made in the economy," Mr Chibiliti said.
He said Government would support Zesco's efforts to raise the necessary funds to expedite completion of these projects.
The state is also promoting the development of the Kafue Gorge Lower (750 MW) expected to cost around US$1.2 billion.
The government has engaged the International Finance Company of the World Bank to provide transaction advisory services.
Other projects being promoted for private investment include the Kabompo Gorge, Kalungwishi and Itezhi-Tezhi.
Mr Chibiliti said the PRP had a deficit of US$44 million and that it was important that the projects were completed on time.
Meanwhile, the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) reports that Zesco Limited will not reconnect the 330 kilovolts interconnector power line from Kariba Power Station to Zimbabwe until its reliability is assured.
Kariba North Bank Technical Manager, Wesley Lwiindi, said on Saturday that Zesco Limited would not switch on the high voltage power line that connects Zambia and Zimbabwe until a lasting technical solution was found.
He said Zesco was hesitant to reconnect the line to Zimbabwe to avoid another countrywide power blackout.
In January this year, Zambia experienced a countywide blackout when the interconnector power line she shares with Zimbabwe developed a fault.
Originally published by Zambia Daily Mail website, Lusaka, in English 12 May 08.
(c) 2008 BBC Monitoring Africa. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.
Source: BBC Monitoring Africa
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