By Ollus Ndomu
Zesco Limited and Rede Nacional de Transporte de Electricidade (RNT) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish and develop the Zambia-Angola power transmission interconnector project and cross-border power supply.
Speaking at the MoU signing ceremony, Zesco Managing Director, Eng. Victor Mapani, highlighted that recent statistics show Angola has excess electricity production capacity, which Zambia intends to exploit. “During this time of power deficit, efforts to ensure such projects are pursued must be expedited swiftly,” Eng. Mapani emphasized.
Eng. Mapani noted that the Addendum to the original intergovernmental MoU extends its scope to include the construction of a high-voltage transmission line. This infrastructure will facilitate the transmission of power from Angola to Zambia and the rest of the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) countries.
The strategic expansion aims to unlock the stranded power generation capacity in Angola by extending RNT’s national grid from the western coast to central Angola.
“The interconnector will cross into Zambia in the Northwestern province, home to large mines with expansion plans requiring additional power,” Eng. Mapani explained.
He further noted the support from international partners: “The World Bank, AfDB, EU, Swedfund, and other partners have supported feasibility and environmental studies for interconnector projects in the SADC region. We are therefore confident that we can count on their support even for this project.”
Eng. Mapani concluded by expressing optimism about the renewed and expanded partnership: “With the renewed and expanded scope of our partnership, Zesco and RNT are well-positioned to achieve our goals and make a lasting impact on the energy landscape of the Southern African region.”
The Zambia-Angola power transmission interconnector project marks a significant step towards enhancing regional energy security and cooperation, promising to bolster economic growth and development across the participating nations.
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