Rehabilitation and expansion of the Chishimba Falls hydroelectric power station

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Core problem Only a very small proportion of Zambia's population is connected to the national electricity grid (around 30%, in rural areas only around 4%). The north of Zambia in particular is inadequately supplied due to the outdated transmission and distribution infrastructure, and regular load shedding makes it difficult for even connected customers to use electricity systematically. This particularly affects small and medium-sized companies and schools and health centers. The HPP, which is operated by the national electricity company ZESCO Ltd., supplies the surrounding regions in the Northern Province and the provincial capital Kasama with around 100,000 residents (Kasama District, around 240,000) as an isolated network. However, due to the great need for rehabilitation, it can only cover around 50% of the provincial capital's electricity demand. The remaining 50% is only inadequately and very unreliably supplied via the national 66kV electricity grid. Module objective Reliable feed-in of environmentally friendly energy from the Chishimba small hydropower plant into the central grid and poverty reduction in the northern province. Key outputs By replacing the outdated facilities of the HPP, the current capacity of 6 MW will be increased to a total of 14.8 MW. In addition, grid stability will be ensured by the sustainable reduction of unplanned load shedding. A significant amount of GHG emissions will be saved because diesel generators currently in use can be partially replaced. Target group The target group of the project is the population connected to the electricity grid as well as public facilities, institutions, trade and businesses, especially in the north of the country. Contribution to the national implementation of Agenda 2030 The FC module supports Agenda 2030 for sustainable development and makes a contribution to the goals SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy), SDG 9 (industry, innovation, infrastructure) and SDG 13 (climate action).