Zambia to focus on hydro power
29 December 2009
Hydro power stations and improved electricity infrastructure will be the priorities of energy company Zesco in the coming year.
Some $200 million (£125 million) has already been earmarked to generate 100 megawatts through the mini hydro power stations.
This will improve accessibility and reduce load-shedding, managing director Cypria Chitundu was quoted by the Times of Zambia as saying.
Fires in 2009 were blamed for costly rehabilitation efforts and for slowing the improvement of facilities.
Replacement of rotten cables and maladapted transformers are also on the agenda for 2010 - moves which Mr Chitundu said would be necessary in order to bring energy to rural areas.
Funding is expected to come from the Zambian government, the Exim Bank of China and the European Investment Bank, which according to the news source have expressed interest in the projects.
Zesco also recently signed an agreement with Zambian telecommunications company Zamtel to undertake the construction of fibre optic connectivity across the country.