Zambia may probably add more electricity to the national grid to increase output for energy and meet the increased demand chiefly from the mines with the planned initiative by a private company to construct 250 MW power stations.

According to reports, there are plans by Lunsefwa Hydro Power Company to construct an additional power plant whose works are expected to commence by 2013 at a cost of about USD 350 million.

Mr Katai Kachasa GM of Lunsefwa Hydro said that plans are afoot and that the company has already decided on a potential site for the project and preparations towards the project have advanced. The company is also working on expanding operations at the old power station by 6 MW.

According to the company, it is estimated that the expansion project will cost over USD 8 million and that the company will continue working at increasing power supply so that demand for energy supply in the country is met.

Zambia’s power output has been a partially 1,400 MW which tends to increase to 1,800 MW during peak periods, making it insufficient to meet the increasing demand especially from the mining companies that consume an average 540 MW daily to mine copper and other base metals in the Southern African copper rich nation.

Government, through the Private Public Partnership is encouraging joint ventures and is happy that the private companies have started investing in power development projects to meet the high demand for power.

Recently, Mr Charles Zulu deputy minister of lands, Energy and water development of Zambia said that government had created a favourable economic and business environment to enable more companies start new projects. He stated that energy is a vital sector of the economy and government will continue working to ensure that the power systems development plan is fully implemented. The deputy minister was speaking during the bilateral power workshop between Zambia and South Africa in Lusaka recently.

(Filed by Mr Kapembwa Sinkamba SteelGuru Correspondent Zambia)