$3m Zesco transformer finally arrives 22.12.09
By Times ReporterTHE long-awaited US$3.2 million Zesco transformer bought from India to replace the gutted one at Lusaka’s Leopards Hill sub-station arrived in the country yesterday after a 50-day journey from India via South Africa.
The Leopards Hill transformer was burnt on June 15, 2009, causing abnormal load-shedding in most parts of Lusaka in the last six months.
Speaking at Chirundu border post after witnessing the arrival, Zesco acting director of generation and transmission, Timothy Lungu said the transformer had a capacity of producing 150 megavolt amperes (MVA) unlike the old one which had 130 MVA.
Mr Lungu said once installed, the transformer would lead to the reduction in load-shedding by 50 per cent and that installation would be completed early next month.
The transformer, manufactured by an Indian company Crompton Greaves, has a life-span of more than 30 years.
“Our long-awaited transformer has since arrived safely. It’s a new equipment and we have accepted the factory acceptance test.
‘‘The installation will be done by Zesco engineers but supervised by the manufacturers,” Mr Lungu said.
He said the power transformer would step down electricity from 330 kilovolts to 132 kilovots.
On the Kariba North Bank power expansion project, Mr Lungu said once completed, it would have an increase of 720 megawatts from current 600 megawatts.
Mr Lungu said the Kafue Gorge power expansion project had been completed and the power capacity had increased from 900 to 990 megawatts.
[Times of Zambia]
