Lunsemfwa and Mulungushi
The Lunsemfwa and Mulungushi hydropower plants are currently in operation but with a need of upgrade.
The plants
In May 2011, Agua Imara signed an acquisition agreement for a 51% shareholding in Lunsemfwa Hydro Power Company (LHPC), located in the central part of Zambia, close to the city of Kabwe.
LHPC owns the two hydro power plants in Zambia, Mulungushi Power Station (MPS) and Lunsemfwa Power Station (LPS).
MPS comprises a regulation reservoir with two manually controlled intake gates, a canal and a penstock to a surface powerhouse. MPS has been developed in stages, with the first 2 MW unit being installed in 1925 and replaced by a 10.5 MW unit in 2009. Two 6 MW units were added in 1927 and a third unit was installed in 1941. All units are specified as Pelton Wheel. MPS has a total capacity of 28.5 MW.
LPS comprises a reservoir, a canal and a penstock to a surface powerhouse. LPS was constructed in 1945 with two 6 MW units. The power plant was operated as a run-of-river scheme until 1958 when the Mita Hills dam was built. In 1961 an additional 6 MW unit was installed. All units are horizontal Francis. LPS has currently a capacity of 18 MW. A new forth unit of 6 MW is presently on order and will be installed in 2012.
Operation
The two plants have a combined generation capacity of 46.5 MW. Their capacity will be increased to 52.5 MW by 2011.
Construction
LHPC has potential for further development. Studies have therefore been initiated by Agua Imara and its Zambian partners for further expansion of the company.
Currently, LHPC owns 50% of Muchinga Power Company (MPC). MPC has the right to develop the projects downstream of the Lunsemfwa and Mulungushi hydropower plants. These project opportunities have a considerable potential of at least 120 MW.