ENERGY experts from Zambia, Tanzania, Kenya (ZTK) are scheduled to meet in Dare s Salaam at the end of the month to deliberate on implementation of power interconnector project, which is meant to ensure reliable supply of power in the region.
According to a statement issued in Dar es Salaam on Friday and signed by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Energy and Minerals, Badra Masoud, the project envisages construction of a power transmission line of 400kV capacity to benefit the three countries through connection to national power grids.
"Energy ministers and the technical supporting team from Zambia, Kenya and Tanzania will convene in Dar es Salaam on September 30, this year.
The session will be preceded by another meeting to be attended by energy secretaries from the respective countries as well as energy engineers."
Success of the event includes discussion and presentation on progressive report, the occasion slated to culminate in official signing of agreement referred to as Heads of Agreement - HOA.
In 1995, reads part of the statement, officials from power utilities in Zambia, Tanzania and South Africa carried out feasibility studies over the possibility to connect the national power grid of Zambia and Tanzania.
The assessment ended in 1998 and concluded that connection of the two power grids would be of great socio-economic advantage.
It was further explained that in January 2001, energy minister of Zambia, Tanzania and Kenya met and the Kenyan government showed interest in the buying relatively cheaper electricity from Zambia.
"The pursuit changed the orientation and gravity of the project transforming its name to Zambia -Tanzania - Kenya Power Interconnector Project," reads the statement The project involves production of 400MW from Pensulo power station in Zambia to be transmitted to Mwakibete power station in Mbeya, improvement of the infrastructure for reliable supply in the northern zone to Kenya.
This will be possible through construction of a new 400kV power line from Mbeya to Singida for transmission of electricity to Arusha and Nairobi.
"This project is among the strategic long-term power supply management plan as a pillar project to secure external sources of power production to offset repeated situations that caused power rationing.
Implementation of the project will also expand business opportunities for agents in the three countries consolidate work relations through the supply mechanism known as bi-directional.
This will allow purchase of electricity from the East African Power Pool (EACPP) and the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP)," concludes the statement.
According to Power System Master Plan (PSMP), the grand regional power project intends to harmonise power distribution system to avoid possible inconvenience that happens in case one country suffers from power shortage while the other has power in abundance.
It is part of the objectives of NEPAD to see that countries South of Sahara strengthen economic links which requires reliable supply of power.
Source: allAfrica
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