Tata Power’s JV commissions 120 MW ItezhiTezhi hydro Power Project in Zambia

Tata Power has announced that the Company has commissioned two units of 60 MW each of its 120MW ItezhiTezhi hydro Power Project in Zambia, in which Tata Power has a 50 percent stake. The synchronization of both the units was completed in January, 2016.  The JV partner ZESCO wishes to celebrate commissioning of the ItezhiTezhi Power Project by inviting Mr. Edgar Lungu, the President of Zambia, to dedicate it to the nation.

The 120 MW ItezhiTezhi Power Project is situated on the ItezhiTezhi Dam. The initial purpose of the ItezhiTezhi Dam, constructed in the 1970s, was to serve as a reservoir for the Kafue Gorge power station. However, due to an acute power deficit in the late 2000s, the Government of Zambia revived its plans to construct a hydro power plant in close proximity to the dam site. The 120MW project was, therefore, selected as a viable brownfield solution to address the power shortage in Zambia, and the ItezhiTezhi Power Corporation (ITPC) was incorporated in 2007. It is a first of a kind public private partnership (PPP) in the power sector in Zambia, and is currently owned by Tata Power and ZESCO, a Zambian power utility, on a 50:50 basis on a 25 year BOOT (Build-Own-Operate-Transfer) concession term. ZESCO is the sole off-taker of power from the ITT power plant.

Speaking about the commissioning, Mr. Anil Sardana, CEO & MD, Tata Power, said, “We are delighted to announce the commissioning of both the units of the ItezhiTezhi hydro power project. It is a major milestone for us as this takes us a step forward to make our international footprints stronger.Through this project, we hope to create value for the people of Zambia by maximizing our shareholder value. We would like to thank ZESCO and IPTC team for their support in setting up this project.”

Hydro power is an intrinsic part of Tata Power’s clean energy mix and the Company aims to acquire hydro projects aggressively, wherever the opportunity arises. As a part of its commitmenttowardsgreen energy, the company aims to develop 20-25 per cent of their total capacity through clean and renewable energy sources.