<p>Construction of 905 km single circuit bidirectional 330 kV transmission interconnector from Kabwe in Zambia to the Tanzanian border at Nakonde. In Zambia, the component of the ZTK: Kabwe - Pensulo, 298 km. A second 330 kV line is required in addition to the existing. Pensulo -Mpika, 197 km. A second 330 kV line is required in addition to the existing. Mpika - Kasama, 197 km. A second 330 kV line is required in addition to the existing. Kasama -Nakonde, 212 km. Two new 330 kV circuits required Nakonde ZM/TZ Border, New 14 km Double circuit 400 kV line required.</p>
<p>Construction of a transmission line that connects the power networks of Zambia, Tanzania and Kenya. This project includes the section of 905km Zambian section of the 2,800km ZTK interconnector from Kabwe-Pensulo-Nakonde-Kasama in Zambia to Tunduma in Tanzania. The project was envisioned to be implemented in two phases starting with the Kabwe-Pensulo-Kasama-Nakonde section and the second phase would have comprised the Kabwe-Pensulo-Mpika-Kasama section. It will have had a capacity of 500MW, upgradable to 2000MW depending on power demand.</p>
<p>The original concept for the ZTK Interconnector was a high voltage 330 kV transmission line going from Pensulo (Zambia) to Nairobi (Kenya) with three connection points in Tanzania (Mbeya, Singida and Arusha). At that time, Tanzania grid was operated at 220 kV. The original concept of the ZTK Interconnector has been replaced, by two interconnections between two national grids: the Kenya-Tanzania Interconnection and the Zambia-Tanzania Interconnection.</p>
<p>The objective of the ZTK Interconnector is to facilitate trading in electricity in the region and promote power systems stability. ZTK will effectively connect the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) with the East African Power Pool (EAPP). Its benefits are multifaceted as it will simultaneously connect Tanzania to the East Africa Power Pool and Southern African Power Pool for the first time. By interconnecting the EAPP and SAPP grids, it will create the largest power pool on the continent and will be an essential component of the North-South (Cape to Cairo) power transmission corridor. </p>
<p>Impact on energy security is immense due to diversification of power supply and the power generation mix, which will include Wind along the coastal areas, coal in Southern Africa, Hydro Power in the south (DRC, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe) and in the North (Ethiopia), Natural Gas (Mozambique, Tanzania and Kenya), Geothermal (Kenya & Ethiopia), Solar PV and Thermal (mostly in the Namib, Kalahari and Sahara Deserts). Once other PIDàPAP power generation projects i.e. Inga III project (and Agenda 2063 flagship project), The grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, Batoka Gorge Hydropower Scheme, Mpanda Nkuwa Hyropower, Ruzizi III and Rusumo Falls come on line, the ZTK will immediately give the Burundi, DRC, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Uganda, Rwanda, Zambia and Zimbabwe access to the EAPP and SAPP markets between Cape and Cairo. </p>
<p>The energy security, diversified power generation mix and competition, will reduce the power tariff, which in turn will stimulate industrial development, increase employment, increase access to energy and thus help in reducing poverty on the continent. </p>