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to achieve 75% electrification by 2035,” says
Gillebo.
Multidisciplinary consultancy firm,
Norplan Tanzania, and Tanzania Photomap
are to act as subcontractors to Multiconsult
for the projects which will begin immediately
and are expected to be completed by the third
quarter of 2021.
With a shared location in the Njombe
region, the Rumakali and Rhuhudji projects
have the potential to double the total installed
hydropower capacity in Tanzania, from 562
MW to 1.142 MW.

HYDRO SOL AR SOL AR

Al-Sisi rules out military Lumos secures Dutch China wins first CSP project
action on GERD funding for solar home in Zambia

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi ruled systems in Côte d’Ivoire The Zambian subsidiary of the Chinese giant
out resorting to military action to settle the Sinohydro has been chosen to carry out the
Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) Solar home system provider, Lumos, civil engineering work for the construction of
crisis, emphasising that negotiations are the has secured new funding from Dutch the Kalulushi solar concentration plant (SCP)
only way to solve the issue. entrepreneurial development bank, FMO, to in the copper belt province.
During remarks made to reporters on July expand its provision of solar home systems in Chinese state-owned Sinohydro is the
28, Sisi said that Egypt wishes Ethiopia success Côte d’Ivoire. world’s 14th largest hydropower engineering
in generating electricity through the dam, but The new funding will enable Lumos to and construction company. The project is
wants it to happen without harming Egypt’s produce tens of thousands of solar home being developed by the Independent Power
water interests and its share in the Nile’s systems to grow its existing customer base and Producer (IPP) Margam Valley Solar Energy
waters. meet fast-growing demand from homes and Corporation.
The negotiations surrounding the GERD businesses across the country. Approximately In Zambia, the results of the tender to
occupy the minds of millions of Egyptians, 9mn people (33% of the population) in Côte carry out the civil works for the Kalulushi
for whom the Nile is a lifeline, and there are d’Ivoire live without access to the grid. Concentrating Solar Power Plant (CSP) were
occasional calls by some Egyptians to solve It is estimated that 200,000 people will recently made public. The Zambian subsidiary
the issue via military action. benefit from access to energy through the of the Chinese company Sinohydro has been
Sisi responded to these views in his talk distribution solar home systems. appointed to execute this civil works contract.
today and expressed his understanding The solar technology will enable people to The Kalulushi CSP solar power plant
regarding Egyptians’ concerns, saying: “Do switch from dangerous, expensive kerosene construction project is being developed by a
make threats and idle talk. I respect every lanterns to reliable, clean energy, contributing consortium formed by Margam Valley Solar
opinion, but don’t say we’ll do such and such to economic growth and sustainable Energy Corporation, Afrisolar Power and
a thing.” development in the West African country. EnergyLine Zambia.
“Egyptians are worried, and I say that your Solar home systems offer a unique power The future concentrating power plant
concerns are legitimate, and that I am with solution to a global market of more than 2bn will be built on a 450 hectare site located 1
you,” Sisi said. people. Currently, there are 740mn people km from the Kitwe Chingola Road in the
“We are negotiating, and this is a battle with poor or no access to the electricity grid in Kalulushi District, Copperbelt Province,
that will take time, because we will not sign sub-Saharan Africa. Zambia. The complex will be made up of
anything that isn’t in our interest,” he added. Renee Comoe Seka, CEO at Lumos Côte mirrors that will concentrate the sun’s rays to
“We always say to our brothers in Ethiopia d’Ivoire, commented: “Access to reliable heat a thermal fluid that will turn turbines to
and Sudan that we respect you, and are energy is critical for economic growth. produce 200 MW of electricity.
concerned about your right to life, as we are The new funding from FMO will enable According to Akapelwa Akapelwa, the
about ours. You have the right to generate hundreds of thousands of people to benefit director of Margam Valley Solar Energy
electricity, and we wish you success with all from reliable, sustainable and affordable Corporation, the consortium of which his
love and good intent. But on the condition energy. FMO is a pioneering institution company is a member plans to generate a
that this doesn’t affect the amount of water and shares our commitment to harness the total of 400 MW of electricity from thermo-
coming to us. We have talked about this market demand and lift people out of poverty. dynamic solar energy in the Copperbelt
during both bilateral and tripartite meetings,” Our joint ambition is to provide power for province, adding to the share of renewable
Sisi said. everyone.” energy in Zambia’s electricity mix.

Week 30 30•July•2020 www. NEWSBASE .com P13