Sinohydro Kafue Gorge Lower HPP

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The China Africa Development Fund and Sino Hydro, as well as the Zambian power utility Zesco Corporation in a Joint Venture, were planning the development of the 600MW Kafue Gorge Lower Hydropower Plant, Kafue River Basin, 65km upstream from confluence of Kafue river and Zambezi river. Commissioning was expected for 2017. Construction was expected to start in April 2011. Prefeasibility work had been done in 1975, based ona 450MW design. This was continued in 1994-5. The Ministry of Water Development received 11 expressions of interest, from: Sinohydro; China Gezhouba Group; SN Power; Alstom Power; Sithe Global; VINCI Group; CMC Di Ravenna; International Mineral Resources BV; Noesis Strategic Consulting; CEC, but some have withdrawn due to the financial crisis. Construction officially started in July 2011. Commissioning was expected for 2017. The project was estimated to cost $1.5 billion, of which the first $1.0 billion was to be provided by a loan of the China Development Bank. The remaining $500 million was to be provided in equity. The IFC was appointed as lead advisor. http://www.hydroworld.com/index/display/article-display/1057346354/articles/hrhrw/regulationandpolicy/general/2010/07/zambia_-chinese_firms.html http://www.hydrosustainability.org/getattachment/495d3e8f-b18a-42e1-b47f-87c02585c07b/Israel-Phiri--Kafue-Gorge-Lower-Project.aspx http://www.zambiananalysis.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=63:layman-s-guide-to-the-kafue-gorge-lower&catid=1:latest&Itemid=128 http://www.lusakatimes.com/2011/07/21/rb-commissions-2bn-kafue-gorge-hydroelectric-power-station/