ZESCO to address increased customer base on Copperbelt

ZESCO Copperbelt Divisional Manager Mr. Wilbroad Chanda has said that the customer base for Copperbelt province has grown from 182,094 ( in 2013) to 246,900 ( in 2018). To cope with the surge in customer base, several transmission and distribution expansion projects have been undertaken, he said.

He highlighted the breakdown being Ndola having 71,690, Kitwe 76,820, Chingola 45,780 and 26,900 for Luanshya as well as 25,750 in Mufulira. Hes said this at a media workshop organised by ZESCO in Kitwe at Sherbourne hotel. He added that the upgrade of a USD42million bulk supply points transformer for Kitwe and Chingola has reliable and adequate capacity to support economic activities on the entire Copperbelt and allows for power trading.

He advised that the Kitwe project uprating is from 720MVA to 945MVA, and Luano from 480MVA to 870MVA with 65% of the works having being done.

Mr. Chanda mentioned other transmission projects being, Bwana Mkubwa - 50MVA, 66/33kV substation in Ndola already completed has an uprating from 2X20MVA to 2 x 25MVA with a total cost of USD1.5million, USD3million 40MVA, 66/11kV substation restoration in Mushili, the 59MW Ndola Energy Power Evacuation project at a cost of USD0.1million as 3km line 66kV from NECL to Ndola Copper refinery substation.

And power supply to the new Copperbelt international airport in Ndola at a cost of USD7million will have 2 x 1.1km 66kV constructed and installation of 2 x 5 MVA with 66/11kV transformers as well as establishment of New Ndeke – Chambishi – Mwambashi. New Scaw 66kV interlink in Kitwe, Mufulira and Chambishi has been completed at a total cost of USD11.7million with 45km off 66kV overhead line constructed.

He further stated that the benefits of substation restoration in Mushili is to support the growing townships in the province with the Bwana Mkubwa project being to support increased industrial and commercial activity in the district around Chief Chiwala’s area.

The Ndola Energy Power Evacuation Project will increase industrial activity in the province, with the benefits of power supply to new Copperbelt international airport in Ndola to support the increasing commercial activities in the province, and boost tourism. The establishment of new Ndeke – Chambishi - Mwambashi – New Scaw 66kV interlink already completed, is to increase electricity supply security in Mufulira, Kitwe, Kalulushi and Lufwanyama.

“ZESCO will ensure it meets the power demand through the various medium to long term measures it is implementing to increase generation, transmission and distribution capacities,” Mr. Chanda said.

The distribution projects include upgrade of Munich 66/11kV substation in Luanshya at a cost of USD0.75million will improve quality and security of supply in Luanshya’s central business district and heavy industrial area. The USD3.5million establishment of new Chililabombwe 52MVA, 66/11kV substation will increase power capacity and security of supply in Chililabombwe Kamenza area, Kasumbalesa and Konkola areas. And establishment of Chibuluma 10MVA, 33/11kV substation in Kalulushi will ensure an increased power capacity and security in Kalulushi, St. Maceline, Chibuluma and the upcoming Mukuba Pension Housing scheme.

He also said both Chingola, Kitwe, Ndola as well as Mufulira do have distribution projects underway and some have been completed.

He spotted out low tariffs that are not reflective of production costs, vandalism of critical infrastructure, wayleave acquisition, network expansion limitations in townships due to haphazard settlements as major challenges that the company is facing.