Plans to increase Chishimba hydro expansion progressing well

Plans to increase the power generation capacity at Chishimba Hydro Power Station in Kasama district in Northern Province have progressed.

The project, which will be undertaken by the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO), will see the upgrade of the Hydro Power Station from the current 1.8 megawatts to 15 megawatts.

ZESCO Northern Region Engineer Wesley Simwaanza has disclosed that the financing of the expansion project has been finalised with tenders for the expansion project floated and closed on January 30, 2026.

 Mr Simwaanza disclosed the development during a Presidential Delivery Unit (PDU) meeting in Kasama.

He has explained that the submitted bids will undergo an evaluation, after which the best bidder will be awarded the contract.

“So understanding the procurement process, it means that there will be the evaluation of the submitted bids, after which the best bidder will be awarded the contract, so from every indication that has been given a time frame of six weeks, we should be able to be talking about the contract being awarded the contractor,” Mr Simwaanza explained.

The expansion of the power generation at Chishimba Hydro Power Station in Kasama District will help boost electricity generation capacity in the region.

The project will be funded by Germany’s KFW Bank at a cost of 40 million United States dollars and will be expanded from the current 1.8 megawatts to 15 megawatts.