REA gets K114m for 2017 power projects

Fri, 07 Apr 2017 09:48:43 +0000

 By OSCAR MALIPENGA

A TOTAL of K114 million has been allocated to the Rural Electrification Authority (REA) for the 2017 implementation and capital investments of different electricity projects.

The authority has also announced that it will develop a total of 423 kilometers of new grid extension projects.

REA corporate affairs manager Justine Mukosha told a media briefing that the authority will this year buy material worth K27.9 million for implementation of grid extension projects.

He said the material to be procured include wood poles, distribution line gear, aluminum conductors, internal wiring materials, transformers, earth materials and aerial earth.

Mr. Mukosha said the tender for the procurement closed on March 3, 2017, and evaluation of bids concluded, adding that the authority was currently drafting contract documents.

“Further, the authority will spend a total sum of K14.3 million on labour to complete the grid extension projects that were started in 2014 to 2016 respectively.

“The authority will develop a total of 423 kilometers of new grid extension projects,” Mr. Mukosha said.

He said the 2017 grid extension project included Chimpempe in Kawambwa districts (Luapula), Mambwe mission in Mbala district (Northern), Milenge phase four in Milenge district (Luapula) and Kataba phase one in Nalolo district (Western).

Mr. Mukosha said the grid extension projects will be implemented at a cost of K16.1 million.

“The tender for these projects closed on March 31, 2017, and currently under evaluation stage,” he said.

Mr. Mukosha further said the authority will this year continue with the civil works on the solar mini grids at a cost of K5.4 million.

He said the approximate separate costs for civil works for the two projects were K2.8 million and K3.3 million respectively, adding that the contractor for the project was Astor Investment Limited.

Mr. Mukosha said the authority would continue implementing the sustainable solar marketing package programme (SSMP) which commenced in 2016 at a cost of K845,000.

He said the project was expected to be completed in July 2017 and that the contractor was Trans Africa Supply Service (TASS).

Mr. Mukosha said the authority will also implement the solar energy projects in Ikelengi (North Western), Chama (Muchinga) and Lundazi (Eastern) at a cost of K845,000 expected to be completed in July 2017.

He said the authority will also work on substations in Luampa district (Western) and Mundu rural growth centre in Chinsali district at a cost of K3.2 million.

Mr. Mukosha said K320,000 would be spent on wind resource assessment in Lunga district and approximately K1 million would be spent on the excise when completed in February, 2018.

He said the authority will further commence the construction of the weir, water cannal, dam, power house, multi-facility building and staff houses at the first ever 640KW Kasanjiku mini hydro power station in Mwinilunga district (North Western).

“For this project the authority has set aside K40.6 million. The total project when completed in 2018 will amount to US$8.7 million,” Mr. Mukosha said.