40% Works Done At Itezhi-Tezhi Power Station

By Paul Shalala in Itezhi-Tezhi

Construction of the Itezhi-Tezhi Power Station is moving at an impressive pace.

The US$ 250 million project is being implemented by the Chinese firm Sino hydro.

The project involves the construction of two generators which are worth 60 mega watts of electricity that will be added to the national grid.

350 Zambians have been employed alongside 100 Chinese who are working at the construction site.

Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda was on Wednesday in Itezhi-Tezhi District to inspect the works.

Mr Chikwanda was told that 40% of the works were already done.

However, Itezhi-Tezhi Power Corporation Technical Manager Kelvin Kamwale expressed concern at the way funding is being disbursed.

But Mr Chikwanda assured Itezhi-Tezhi Power Corporation that all financers have assured him that funding is safe.

All equipment for the project are on site and parts of the components for the two generators have already arrived on site.

Sinohydro is expected to complete the construction and installation of the two generators by mid 2015.

The hand over of the project is expected to take place in October 2015 when the 120 mega watts will be added to the national grid.