ZAMBIA, CONGO MULL BUILDING POWER PLANT

WE are working with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to set up a 1000 megawatts power plant on Luapula River, President Edgar Lungu has disclosed.

Speaking yesterday when he commissioned the Musonda Falls power plant which had been upgraded from five megawatts to 10 megawatts constructed at a total cost of

US42 million, President Lungu said the implementation of the project was critical especially with the increasing power demand in the country.

The Head of State said the project was huge milestone as it would help increase economic activities in the country.

President Lungu said Government was committed to ensuring power generation increased for the good of the country's economy.

“My Government wants to collaborate with government of Democratic Republic of Congo to put up a power plant on Luapula River with generation capacity of 1000 megawatts.

This will be critical to our nation due to the increasing power demand and this will enhance economic activities in the country," the Head of State said.

And Minister of Energy Mathew Nkhuwa said Government would invest in small power plants because they had potential to reduce the power deficit.

Mr Nkhuwa said Government had identified Northern circuit which had good rainfall and many areas to set up these small power plants and that with such a development, power generation would be significantly improve. And Zesco managing director, Victor Mundende, who was represent by Zesco director transmission, Webster Musonda, said the 33kv power plant was critical for economic activities in Luapula.