ENERGY Minister Peter Kapala has revealed that his ministry is in the process of developing the phase two 300 megawatt coal power plant at Maamba Collieries and a 100 megawatt solar PV power plant in Chisamba which will be completed this December.
This is part of the mid to long term plans aimed at developing and diversifying the country’s electricity generation capacity to deal with the current power deficit.
The development is also aimed at mitigating the adverse effects of the dry spell on the energy sector which has engulfed the country with loadsheding.
Kapala disclosed that Government has put in place measures to have a stable power supply in the country.
“We have the implementation of a 120 megawatt portfolio PV power project under the global energy transfer fee tarrifs. Plans are underway to develop an additional 300 megawatts coal of power plant we anticipate that financial closure will be reached by 30th June 2024 and construction will begin this year,” disclosed Kapala.
“Plans are already underway to progress the development of 271 megawatt for the Luapula hydro power project in the Luapula river.”
And another notable milestone in the energy sector is the approval of the open access for electricity.
This development will bring about more private investors and power producers in the sector.
By Catherine Pule
Kalemba, June 13, 2024
