Chisamba District Commissioner Joel Mboyoma has disclosed that the construction of the 100 megawatts solar power plant in Chikonkomene ward of Chisamba District of Central Province will take maximum of 2 years.
The announcement of the 100MW solar project among other solar projects was seen as a short term measure by the new dawn government to deal with the current power crisis which has negatively affected businesses across the country.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with the Zambian Business Times – ZBT, Chisamba DC Joel Mboyoma however said so far the clearing of the land has commenced with a contractor to undertake the Construction works engaged but the project will be completed within 2 years.
Mboyoma said the full implementation of the 100 megawatts solar power project in Chikonkome ward of Chisamba District will bring in more benefits to the local community in the area.
“The benefits are huge ranging from employment already people are getting engaged and will have more than two hundred people engaged at the peak of the project, local people will be employed but then obviously that will change their economic status as individuals and the entire community as there will be more money in circulation which will be a plus and then we are also seeing people wanting to investing around and near the solar plant, we have seen shops coming up other houses which they will be renting to people that will be working there so the economy of of the district will improve.” As a district is not about the power that we will be benefiting from but also in terms of employment currently works clear the area where the solar panels will be installed is going on and we have close to 100 people from the community that have been employed and the number is likely to increase to over 200 so there that economic value that the people in the district and especially around the project area that will accrue to them.
“The project will also attract other investment as we already have people that are coming through to consult if they invest around the project area and see how they can access the power from the plant so we are basically I think going to have some sort of industrial hub around the 100MW solar plant which is in Chikonkomene ward of Chisamba district and we are very grateful to government for this project which is done through ZESCO.” He said.
“So we are hoping once everything starts, by 2026 everything should be completed of course there are issues of the materials that are required to set up the plant and if there will be any delay it has to be on the movement of the materials that are required, the solar panels and other accessories that are required to make sure that that the plant is completed and also issues of securing the area because is a big area.”
Meanwhile, Mboyoma could not reveal the total budget for the project adding that ZESCO will be in a better position to give out contractual terms and the amounts that are to be paid.
Asked if two years is not too much for such an important project at a time when the country is facing huge power deficit, Mboyoma said, “it’s not too much because I said within it can be 2 years or less for you and me that understand the technical aspects that are required in the installation of such a plant we would rush such a project because there are are alot of technical issues that have to be looked at just to make sure that the plant serves that people.”
