The Zambian government is to increase its electricity supply capacity through the construction of additional power generation plants. An expert in the government department responsible for power generation Israel Phiri told journalists on Saturday that Zambia is in desperate need to increase its power generation capacity.
He said currently the country has a serious deficit of power resulting in frequent rationing, but this would get worse with increased investments in the copper and nickel mining activities that are expected to take off soon.
He said plans are underway to pool funds for the construction of a 600 megawatt power station that is to be completed by 2017.
Currently, Zambia generates 1,400 megawatts of electricity per day with a peak demand of 1,500 megawatts which means the country faces a daily shortage of 100 megawatts.
The power supply company ZESCO recently signed an agreement with an Indian firm for the construction of a small power plant in Itezhi Tezhi south of the capital, Lusaka.
According to official sources, the power plant will be constructed at a cost of 50 million US dollars and would bring in an additional 120 megawatts of power.
This is however, according to the sources, a short term measure as the country would soon outstrip this addition hence the plans to embark on the major 600 megawatt project.
Source African Press Agency
