Kafue Gorge Lower Power Station
Kafue Gorge Lower Power Station (KGL), is a 750 megawatts (1,010,000 hp) hydroelectric power station in Zambia.[2]
| Kafue Gorge Lower Power Station | |
|---|---|
  Map of Zambia showing the location of Kafue Gorge Lower Power Station. | |
| Country | Zambia |
| Location | Kafue Gorge, Chikankata District |
| Coordinates | 15°53′46″S 28°33′33″E |
| Purpose | Power |
| Status | Operational |
| Opening date | 2023[1] |
| Construction cost | US$2 Billion |
| Owner(s) | Government of Zambia |
| Operator(s) | ZESCO |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Impounds | Kafue River |
| Height | 140 m |
| Length | 378 m |
| Turbines | 5 x 150 MW |
| Installed capacity | 750 megawatts (1,010,000 hp) |
Location
The power station is located along the Kafue River, between the Kafue Gorge Upper Power Station upstream and the confluence of the Kafue River with the Zambezi River downstream. The power station is located approximately 90 kilometres (56 mi), by road, south of Lusaka, Zambia's capital city.[3] The geographical coordinates of Kafue Gorge Lower Power Station are:15°53'46.0"S, 28°33'33.0"E (Latitude:-15.896111; Longitude:28.559167).[4]
Overview
As of 2017, according to USAID, Zambia had installed generating capacity of 2,800 megawatts. Of these, 2,380 megawatts (85 percent) was hydroelectricity.[5] Peak electricity demand in Zambia has been recorded at 1,960 megawatts, with growth in electricity demand estimated at between 150 MW and 200 MW every year. Approximately 70 percent of national electricity output is consumed by the country's mines in the Copperbelt Province.[6]
In October 2015, after the requisite feasibility and environmental studies, the engineering, procurement and construction contract was awarded to Sinohydro, the Chinese, state-owned hydropower engineering and construction company. The contract price is reported as US$2 billion, with 85 percent borrowed from the Exim Bank of China, and the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China. The government of Zambia will invest 15 percent into the project, using their own money.[7]
Construction
Construction of the power station began in November 2015.[8] As of July 2019, the contractor expected to conclude during the fourth quarter of 2020. During construction, over 3,000 jobs were created.[9] In September 2019, construction of the dam and power station were halted due to financial difficulties.[10]
In July 2021, one of the five turbines (Turbine Number 2) was commercially commissioned to supply 150 megawatts to the Zambian national grid.[11]
In March 2023, last of the five turbines was started.[1] President Hakainde Hichilema officially commissioned the power station.[1]
Funding
The below table summarizes the funding sources for the power station alone, without the related power line, road and other infrastructure.[7][12]
| Rank | Name of Development Partner | Funding in USD (Millions) | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exim Bank of China and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China | 1,700 | 85.0 |
| 2 | Government of Zambia | 300 | 15.0 |
| Total | 2,000 | 100.00 | |
Operations
The power generated will be evacuated via a 330-kilovolt transmission line, measuring approximately 100 kilometres (62 mi) to Lusaka, for integration into the national power grid.[7]
References
- "Замбия ввела в эксплуатацию построенную Китаем ГЭС_Russian.news.cn".
- Teresia Njoroge (4 April 2019). "US $2bn Kafue Gorge Lower Hydropower station nears completion". Nairobi: Construction Review Online. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
- PGZambia (2018). "Kafue Gorge Hydro-power Station Benefiting Zambians". Lusaka: Partners Group Zambia Limited. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
- Google (15 May 2020). "Location of Kafue Gorge Lower Power Station" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
- USAID (16 April 2020). "Zambia Energy Sector Overview". Washington, DC: United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Retrieved 15 May 2020.
- GET.invest (2019). "Zambia Energy Sector". Bonn, Germany: GET.invest.
- Lusaka Times (20 October 2015). "ZESCO signs deal to construct the Kafue Gorge Power Project". Lusaka Times. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
- Judith Namutowe (2 October 2015). "Zambia: Works On Kafue Gorge Lower Power Station to Begin Soon" (via AllAfrica.com). Times of Zambia. Ndola. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
- Xinhua (15 July 2019). "Chinese firm expects to complete power plant by 2020 in Zambia". Beijing: Xinhua News Agency. Archived from the original on 17 July 2019. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
- Jean Marie Takouleu (23 September 2019). "Zambia: Sinohydro Halts Work At Kafue Gorge Dam Site". Paris, France: Afrik21.africa. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
- Jean Marie Takouleu (30 July 2021). "Zambia: Sinohydro commissions Unit I of the Kafue hydroelectric power station". Afrik21.africa. Paris, France. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
- Jimmy Chibuye (12 October 2017). "Kafue Gorge Lower: Power Surplus Dream". Zambia Daily Mail. Lusaka. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
External links
- Construction of hydro power station at Kafue Gorge suspended As of 11 September 2019.
- Feasibility Study of the Kafue Gorge Lower Hydroelectric Project As at 18 August 2010.