Zambia/DR Congo: Feasibility study sought for Luapula River Scheme

Zambia and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are advancing with long-standing plans to develop the hydropower potential of the Luapula River. In early November, the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) invited expressions of interest from consultants to carry out a detailed bankable feasibility study for the proposed Luapula River Hydroelectric Scheme on the border between the two countries. Bids were due by 25 November. The SAPP Project Advisory Unit is acting as the implementing agent for the project on behalf of Zambia’s Zesco and DRC’s Société Nationale d’Electricité. In July 2015 the two countries signed an intergovernmental memorandum of understanding (MoU) and an inter-utility MoU to expedite the project.