Transmission Development 
Summary Of Functions 

Development of corporation’s transmission infrastructure of voltage greater than 33kV.

General modification of the transmission infrastructure outside the scope PRP.

The department also participates in the regional Southern African Power Pool planning activities on behalf of ZESCO.  

Major Regional Transmission Projects

Zambia – Tanzania 330kV interconnector project

Victoria Falls – Katima Mulilo 132kV Interconnector project (Zambia – Namibia): Construction of 200km, 132kV line, at US$8-10m. A ZESCO/NamPower project.  

Major Regional Development Projects

1.Kansanshi Transmission Project: FQM Limited require 40MW by end of 2003 for the new Kansanshi mine. Cost estimate of supply is between US$ 20-30m. Sizing of plant considers other future mines.

2.Maposa 66kV Transmission Supplies to Bwana Mkubwa Mine:    Bwana Mkubwa Mines, require additional 23MW. The construction is nearing completion. The cost of the project is US$7.2m.

Major System Reinforcement/Optimisatioin

1.Replacement of Diesel Generator Stations: Network extension to replace costly diesel generators; Kaoma, Lukulu, Lwangwa. A study is on-going

2.Northern and Luapula 66kV Network: Installation of SF6 breakers to replace obsolete units to reduce outages. Installation of reactor at Mbala for voltage control.

3.Installation of Steel Poles on Kasama-Mbala 66kV Line to reduce outages

The Environment And Social Aff airs Unit 

The main function of the Unit is to handle environmental and socio-economic issues pertaining to the operations of ZESCO to ensure that ZESCO operates within the provisions of the environmental regulations of the country. Other functions of the Unit include: developing environmental guidelines and environmental operational plans for ZESCO on various aspects; advising engineering and other ZESCO staff on environmental and social issues; representing ZESCO on environmental and social issues in national and international fora; liaising with Government ministries and other institutions responsible for management of water, land and other natural resources, environment regulation and socio-economic affairs; conducting environmental impact assessments for ZESCO projects to identify the impacts, recommend mitigation measures and monitoring implementation of recommended mitigation measures; supervising consultants hired to do environmental work for ZESCO projects pertaining to power generation, transmission and distribution. Some Of The Projects Currently Being Undertaken:-
Itezhi - Tezhi Hydropower environmental impact assessment addendum

Development of ZESCO’s Environmental Management System Working Document and guidelines.

Copperbelt distribution environmental study addendum

Training of Environmental Coordinators under the Environmental Management System

Luano – Kansanshi line environmental impact assessment study

Mutanda – Kasempa hydropower connection

If you want to read about the Power Rehabilitation Project click here

Distribution Development 

The Distribution Development department is the point of entry for any would be client to ZESCO. The department carries out planning of new projects from 33kV downwards. The projects are either internally or externally driven. The internally driven projects are mostly to do with expansion and reinforcement of the system while the externally driven ones are those which are derived from client’s demands. The department covers the whole country in as far as projects are concerned. 

The department is divided into three sections namely: 

(a)                Planning

(b)                System Reinforcement

(c)                Township & Rural Electrification 

The functions of the various sections are: 

Planning 

This section handles the new applications for power supply from residential to Industrial up to a maximum demand of 1MVA. When approval of the planning and costing of the schemes is done, quotations are then prepared. After the quotations have been approved they are sent to the respective applicants who then respond by making payment. Upon receipt of payment a works order is issued to the Construction Manager to execute the works.

System Reinforcement

This section deals with the improvement on the system to cope with increased demand and reliability requirements. It does studies on the system and gets operational data from D & CS to come up with plans for remedial measures. 

Township & Rural Electrification  

This section does the design and costing of township and rural electrification. Its primary aim is to expand the customer base but also to be in line with the Government’s stance of improving the living standards of the rural population. Funding for these projects comes from ZESCO in case of township electrification and from the government (through MEWD) for rural electrification. The section handles these particular projects which are usually contracted from inception up to completion.

Major Distribution Projects And Enquiries For Supply

Supply To Hi-Qwalime Mine - Mkushi

Hi-qwalime mine of Mkushi requested ZESCO to supply an initial 500kVA for their operations. The project involves construction of 17km of 11kV overhead line and establishment of a rural type substation. The client contributed US$30,000.00 towards the project whereas REF contributed ZMK700 million. The project is in progress.

Supply To Arcades Development 

The arcades Development on Great East Road have requested ZESCO to supply power in the order of 2MVA. The technical designs for this request have already been finalized.  

Supply To Freedom Par k - Kitwe 
Stocks and Stocks of RSA have approached ZESCO for supply to their proposed shopping complex in Kitwe at Freedom Park. The requested supply is 2MVA The client has already been furnished with a quotation. 

Construction Of Avondale 33/11kv Su bstation 
The project was contracted to Roshcon of RSA. It involves construction of a 33kV overhead line and construction of a 2x10MVA 33/11kV substation. Construction works have already commenced. 

Supply To Twapia NHA – Phase 1  
National Housing Authority have requested electricity supply to 38 houses and two bore holes. Payment for the same has already been made. 

Reinforcement Of Supply To Mulungushi Water Surface Scheme 
Mulungushi water surface scheme in Kabwe has been experiencing frequent under voltages. A scheme to supply the water works by a 33kV overhead line from Kabwe town has been worked out. Further a lasting solution of supplying the water works by an 88/33/11kV substation is being considered. 

Rural Electrification Projects 
The following are the projects being undertaken:

supply to Chief Mushili’s Palace

supply to Nswana Kudya RHC and School (Mwinilunga)

supply to Twingi Basic school in samfya

supply to Mpongwe District  ( an advance payment has already been made).

Supply to St. Anthony mission.

Supply to Chief Chiwala’s palace and basic school.  

The department is currently running 29 projects at an estimated cost of K65.4bn out of which only K6.1bn has been received from the ministry of energy. The deficit of K59.4bn is yet to be paid but has adverse financial implications on the operations of ZESCO.

Purchasing Department 

The major activities of the Purchasing Department include:- 

Procurement of goods and services for the company on contractual and non-contractual basis for efficient running of the corporation.

Formulation and review of procurement policies and procedures in line with corporate objectives and the Zambia National Tender Board act and other statutory requirements.

 Brief Status 

Various materials have been ordered in bulk in order to replenish the stocks that have been poor for a long time. 

The poor stock position has affected smooth operations of the company particularly new customer connections. 

This situation is now changing as materials purchased in bulk have started arriving. 

The materials purchased in bulk are; lightning arrestor, drop out fuses, transformers, fuses, line hardware (insulators stay assemblies, bolts nuts d-irons, strain and other clamps)