Minister of Energy Eng. Peter Chibwe Kapala has disclosed that the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO), was in the process of extending an overhead line from Mpongwe to Ngabwe District.
He said this was in a bid to have the District connected to the National electricity grid. The Minister said works were scheduled to start next month (November 2023) and were expected to be completed within six (6) months.
Hon. Kapala said the project sum was around K 2.5 million and the delay in the implementation was due to a constrained (ZESCO)network on the Copperbelt Province.
The Minister also observed that in addition to ZESCO Limited’s effort, Government through the Rural Electrification Authority (REA) was implementing an off-grid system in the District.
The REA has implemented two Solar Mini Grid projects in Mukatamwene and Mumeno.
The project in Mukatamwene supplies power to the clinic and the surrounding community. Mumeno supplies power to the secondary school, market and surrounding community.
REA is also implementing another Solar Mini Grid project around the new Ngabwe Central Business District.
This project is already supplying electricity to the Council Lodge. Once completed this month end (October 2023), It is expected to supply electricity to the Civic Centre, staff houses and surrounding community.
The Minister of Energy said this on the floor of the house (National Assembly) when Lufubu Constituency Member of Parliament, Hon Wesley Kolala, wanted to know when Ngabwe District would be connected to the National electricity grid and what was causing the delay in connecting it.
