Three African regional blocs have taken up the implementation of a power connector project which is set to link Zambia, Tanzania and Kenya, a senior official said on Monday.
Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) energy expert Seif Elnasr Mohamedain said the project has been taken up the COMESA, East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). He said in a statement posted on the COMESA website that the three regional blocs were fast tracking the implementation process of the project and have managed to secure funding for the preparatory activities.
The official added that the European Union (EU) has provided a total of 4.4 million euros to finance preparatory activities of the project. The first phase of the 2,300 kilometer power grids is expected to be completed by December this year, according to the statement.
He added the consultancy services to undertake complementary studies on power trade volumes, wheeling arrangements and impact of the project would commence in April. Once the project is completed, it would help meet the immediate and future power demand in the region by linking the East African Power Pool with the Southern Africa Power Pool, two institutions created to provide reliable electricity to their member states.
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