Maravi

Govt asks Chinese firm to build hydropower stations

Govt asks Chinese firm to build hydropower stations
By Chiwoyu Sinyangwe
Mon 08 Feb. 2010, 04:00 CAT

THE government has asked Chinese giant construction company Gezhouba Group, to consider building the US$1.5 billion hydropower stations through public private partnership, commerce deputy minister Dr Lwipa Puma has said.

Dr Puma said the government wanted Gezhouba Group to also consider developing the Kabompo hydropower stations as the Chinese company scouted for investment opportunities in the country.

Gezhouba Group operates its businesses through contract construction of projects, which include power plants, dams, roads, bridges and civil engineering in China and foreign countries.
According to official data, the development of the 600 megawatts Kafue Gorge Lower hydropower plant was expected to be commissioned in 2017.

“They haven’t picked on any project yet but we have asked them to look at Kafue Gorge Lower hydropower station which we want to construct using public private partnership,” Dr Puma said in an interview. “They want to explore areas of investment opportunities so that we can partner where it is possible…they Gezhouba Group specialise in hydropower installation and transmission lines among other things.”

Dr Puma said Gezhouba Group was coming to the country at the appropriate time when the country was pursuing public private partnership in developing huge infrastructural projects.

He said Gezhouba Group would also meet finance minister Dr Situmbeko Musokotwane among other government officials as they planned to explore the country’s investment plans.
“They are also looking at mining in general, looking at possibilities of setting up a cement manufacturing plant…they are basically on the fact-finding mission,” said Dr Puma.

Labels: CHINESE, HYDRO POWER

posted by MrK @ 4:59 AM