On March 24, the Lower Kaifu Gap Hydropower Station in Zambia, built by China Power Construction Corporation (PowerChina), held a power generation ceremony for Unit 5, and President Hitchlema unveiled the ribbon and pressed the start button, marking the commissioning of all units of the hydropower station.
Lower Kaifu Gap Hydropower Station, Zambia
Hichilema posted on social media that night, expressing deep gratitude to the Chinese government and the project construction personnel, "This extraordinary project will provide great help to end the power shortage (in Zambia)."
The Lower Kaifu Gap Hydropower Station is a flagship project of the "Belt and Road" construction cooperation between China and Zambia, and the largest infrastructure project in Zambia in the past 40 years. The installation of five francis generator sets with a total installed capacity of 750 MW will greatly increase Zambia's power supply capacity when fully operational, and the project will be of great significance to promote the country's agricultural, industrial and mining development and post-pandemic economic recovery. After the hydropower station is put into operation, it will not only meet its own electricity needs, but also help Zambia export electricity to Malawi, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Namibia and other countries.
Lower Kaifu Gap Hydropower Station Generator Set Source: Xinhua News Agency
After the Lower Kaifu Gap hydropower station began generating electricity, the power supply situation in Lusaka, the capital of Zambia, improved significantly. Cindoro, the owner of a hairdressing shop in Lusaka, told reporters that in the past, the hairdressing shop had to lose power for several hours every day, and customers could not make their hair when they came, and they had to wait for most of the day, and their business was greatly affected. "This year there have been basically no power outages. Now the business in the store is booming, and the queue is too long", said Cindoro happily.
Night view of Lusaka, the capital of Zambia
Improved electricity supply has made the street where the shop is located prosperous. "This year, seven or eight new shops have opened on this street, including bars, supermarkets, and vegetable stalls..." Following the direction of Sindoro's finger, the reporter saw the people coming and going on the street, and the smell of fireworks was strong.
It is understood that PowerChina actively fulfills its social responsibilities while building the project, supporting local people's livelihood by opening skills training schools, digging wells and collecting water for surrounding villagers, and building roads and bridges, creating 15,000 local jobs.
The hydropower project has brought career opportunities to many young Zambians, and Kapanda is one of them. Capanda came to the hydropower station project department in 2017 to seek employment, and since then has become a hydropower station technician through training, participating in the installation and commissioning of electrical equipment of units 4 and 5. "Thanks to China and Chinese companies, I not only broadened my horizons and increased my skills, but also used my knowledge to build a country." Capanda said.
Source: Xinhua News Agency K25