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President Sata inaugurates the Shiwang’andu Small Hydro-Power Plant. Left: Chief of the UNIDO Renewable and Rural Energy Unit, Diego Masera, and Zambia’s first President, Kenneth Kaunda. Photo by UNIDO
The construction of the plant is part of a renewable energy project implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP). By building three mini power plants, the project will demonstrate the technical and financial viability of using renewable energy resources to facilitate electrification in rural areas.
The electricity generated will provide energy to power lights in houses, schools and hospitals, will ensure optimum use of information and communications technology, and will stimulate income-generating activities in rural communities that cannot be reached by the national grid.
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As well as President Sata, the inauguration of the Shiwang’andu small hydro power plant was witnessed by Zambia’s first President, Kenneth Kaunda; the Minister for Transport, Works, Supply and Communications, Christopher Yaluma; the Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development, Yamfwa Mukanga; and Chief of the UNIDO Renewable and Rural Energy Unit, Diego Masera; among others.
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In Zambia, only 3 per cent of the rural population has access to electricity, and the head of state called on ZESCO and the Development Bank of Zambia to work hand-in-hand with UNIDO to build four more mini-hydro-power stations on various small rivers in Zambia. UNIDO is currently developing a project proposal to this end.
UNIDO’s Diego Masera said that there can be no sustainable development without sustainable energy, and commended the Government of Zambia for its commitment to provide the rural population with clean, sustainable and affordable energy.
For more information on the project, please contact:
Diego Masera
Chief, UNIDO Renewable and Rural Energy Unit
Email: D.Masera@unido.org