Kapamba Mini Hydro Power Project

Atlantic Commodities Limited (ACL) a company established in 2009 has the objective to develop a 12MW small hydropower station with all its associated appurtenant. ACL was granted permission to develop this project by the Ministry of Energy in 2018, following the 2012 prefeasibility study conducted by the Government through ZESCO in collaboration with UNIDO’s International Centre for Small Hydropower (ICHSP) to determine the economic viability of developing a mini hydro power plant at the Kapamba Falls. This project will involve the supply, delivery, installation, testing and commissioning of 3 units (3×4000kW) of the Kapamba Mini Hydropower Project including construction of the powerhouse, canal, dam, forebay, switchyard and supplying mechanical and electrical equipment for the power generation. The power at the station will be generated at 6.3kV and then stepped up to 33kV using a 6.3/33kV 15MVA transformer and then evacuated to the National grid at Mpika Substation via the proposed 66kV steel lattice transmission line. This project will contribute in addressing the increased economic activities witnessed in Zambia in the recent past coupled with government’s ambitious desire to increase the electrification rate in the rural areas from the current 3% to 51% by the year 2030. The project duration in commensurate with ICSHP’s experience on similar projects is approximately three years, including contingency and has a life span of 27 years. This project is profitable with annual incomes of USD 30,730,000 in year one, USD 35,920,000 in year two and 41,460,000 in year three respectively and EIRR of 6% to 10%. The estimated total investment of the project is USD 37,928,351. The project is open to FDI through a majority stake and ACL is seeking for a project financier or equity partner with a 30:70 shareholding structure. The project will be located at 31º 47’ 12” E, 11º 48’ 27” S on the Munyamadzi River in Mpika District of Muchinga Province.

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