Zambia has authorised private developers to start feasibility studies and construction of hydroelectric power stations totaling $2.2billion to overcome a crippling power deficit.
Power rationing by the state run utility Zesco Ltd., has forced copper mines, the country’s major sources of revenue, to scale down output.
Zambia would require a separate $1.1billion to raise power supply in rural areas to 51% from the current 3% by 2030. This translates into an annual expenditure of $50million between 2008 and 2030.
Zambia is developing a plan to streamline its generation and transmission of power, currently the sole responsibility of state power utility Zesco Ltd.
