Coronavirus slows down $2bn Kafue Gorge project

WORKS at the $2 billion Kafue Gorge lower power project have slowed down following the failure by several expatriates from the main contractor, Sinohydro to return from holiday in China due to the coronavirus outbreak, Zesco has confirmed.

And Zesco director for strategy and corporate affairs, Patrick Mwila says a deal signed by Zambia to import 300 MW from Eskom had expired and would not be renewed.

Mr Mwila said some expatriates who had managed to return were quarantined at an undisclosed hotel until they are cleared.

He said the power utility company was now relying on short-term power imports from the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) to minimise the shortfall.

Mr Mwila said the electricity deficit had grown to 810 megawatts ( MW) from a 690 MW in September last year due to reduced power generation at Kariba North Bank and other major power stations.

He said the country had already used up 25 percent of the water allocated for power generation this year by the Zambezi River Authority.

Mr Mwila said the Zambezi River Authority has this year only allocated 11 billion cubic meters of water to Zesco for power generation compared to 17 billion cubic meters allocated to the power utility company in 2019. He also disclosed that Mamba Coal power station which supplies 260 Mwts of power to the national grid had reduced the supply following the breakdown of one of its unit, however was quick to mention that Zesco would continue to apply the 10-12 hrs load shedding management.

Mr Mwila said the power generation at Kariba Dam was still restricted due to the low water levels attributed to reduced inflows into Lake Kariba despite the rains that the country has been experiencing this season.

Mr Mwila said as at Thursday, the water level at the Kariba Dam was only 12% full, compared to 43% usage water at the same time last year.

“The load shedding of up to 12 hours remains critical to protect the power system from collapsing and ensure that the available power is shared equitably and to sustain power generation to the next rain season,” he said.