Underwater cable project underway to provide electricity to Chisi Island for the first time

The Rural Electrification Authority (REA) has launched a project to connect Chishi Island in Chifunabuli District to the national electricity grid using an underwater cable laid beneath Lake Bangweulu. The project is valued at K32.7 million.

REA Acting Chief Executive Officer, Alex Mbumba, announced the development during a media briefing in Samfya on Thursday, stating that the initiative builds on the earlier electrification of Chilubi Island.

“The project aims to connect Chishi Island from Chilubi Island, which is already electrified. We are deploying an eight-kilometre marine cable under Lake Bangweulu that will serve more than 14,000 residents,” Mbumba said in a statement on Friday.

He said four drums of marine cable had already been procured, and that the project is expected to improve access to electricity for both households and public facilities.

Read more: 65 more constituencies to enjoy electrification, as govt moves to check rural-urban migration

Project Manager, Felix Mubanga, of Northland’s Equipment Limited, the contractor handling the works, said the underwater cable was sourced from China after a terrain survey of Lake Bangweulu.

“A survey was carried out to assess the lakebed and ensure proper cable installation. The Zambia Army is also involved in the technical process of laying the cables,” Mubanga said.

He added that the cable would be held in place using 25-kilogrammes concrete weights spaced every 100 metres.

Zambia Army Troop Commander for the Special Forces, Essau Mulozo, confirmed the Army’s participation in the deployment.

“Our team is prepared to support the technical aspects of the project,” he said.

Once completed, the project is expected to provide electricity to Chishi Island for the first time, supporting services such as healthcare, education, and communication.

WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.