Mott MacDonald has been appointed as project managers by ZESCO to improve the capacity of transmission network infrastructure along the Kafue-Muzuma-Victoria Falls corridor in Zambia. The project includes upgrading the existing 220kV transmission line and constructing new or enhancing existing substations.
The project will be funded by the European Investment Bank and World Bank. It involves upgrading the existing 348km transmission line from Kafue town through Muzuma to Victoria Falls from 220kV to 330kV. A new substation at Livingstone will be constructed with the existing bay, line control and monitoring system at Victoria Falls substation upgraded to enhance operational flexibility and reliability. Two substations at Kafue town and Muzuma will also be upgraded and once complete will provide a high level of security and quality of supply for the region.
To keep the transmission link serviceable throughout the upgrade, temporary 220kV bypass line sections will be constructed on a section by section basis where line upgrades are taking place. At the substations, primary sections will also be bypassed during their upgrade so that the contractor can work efficiently in a non-energised environment.
John Clarke, Mott MacDonald’s project manager, said: “Upgrading 40-year old substations while keeping them in commercial service is a demanding brief. Mott MacDonald will support ZESCO in managing and supervising the implementation of the project, by approving designs and test protocols, supervising construction and overseeing the substation testing.”
