01/03/2017
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US $1.4 BILLION POWER PROJECT ON LUANGWA RIVER READY
ZAMBIA'S High Commissioner to South Africa Emmanuel Mwamba has expressed confidence that the proposed US $1.4 billion hydro-power project by a South Africa company would be completed in the next 5 years.
He was speaking when he received a high powered delegation from MDH South Africa.
MDH South Africa has proposed to set up a 240MGW hydro power project on the Luangwa River.
Amb. Mwamba advised the officials that detailed feasibility must be done to mitigate on environmental and community concerns that such a large project would present.
Mr. Mwamba said Southern Africa region had a power deficit of over 10,000MGW and any electricity generation project remained a priority to the region.
He said that Zambia, SADC and African Union have all prioritised infrastructure and power project to ensure that countries could meet their ambitious development agendas.
And MDH South Africa disclosed that they had been doing pre-feasibilty studies and research on the possibility of setting up a 240MG hydro power base load project on the Luangwa River.
Director Zander van der Walt said the hydro project would create a 127km long and 17 km wide lake.
He said a dam would be about 500metres and 83meter high wall.
He said environmental impact in the area would be minimal as supplementary industries like fish farming and a body of water for wildlife would be available.
He said his company had mobilised resources to begin the required pre-feasibilty studies and had engaged finance development companies to ensure that the project would be completed in the period of five years.
He said the company was willing to develop the project as a Public Private Patnership (PPP) with ZESCO.
He hoped that the Zambian authorities would grant the necessary authority required for such a project.
He said many financiers were willing to fund big projects in Zambia as the country presented low risks because of its peace, stability, a developed democracy and the adherence to the rule of law.
He was accompanied by other directors, Ryan S. Taylor and Ricky du Plessis.
