Zambia - Fourth Phase of the Malawi Interconnector Project under the Regional Energy Transmission, Trade, and Decarbonization in Southern Africa Program (Multi-Phase Programmatic Approach

Overview & Synopsis

RETRADE SA MPA Phase 4: Zambia - Malawi Interconnector Project for Zambia has the development objectives of increasing cross-border transmission capacity in Eastern Zambia and establishing enabling frameworks between Zambia and Malawi for power trade. The Project comprises two Components. Component 1: Transmission Infrastructure supports the Zambia segment of the 400 kilovolt double circuit interconnector between Chipata West Substation and the Malawi border, providing a new high voltage corridor compatible with regional operations and sufficient headroom for future trade growth; Sub-component 1.1: Overhead Transmission Line finances the design, supply, and installation of approximately 46.6 kilometers of 400 kilovolt double circuit line with towers, conductors, foundations, access roads, and associated protection, control, telecommunications, and system operation facilities; Sub-component 1.2: Chipata West Substation Extension finances the design, supply, and installation of a new 400 kilovolt switchyard with line bays, 400 to 330 kilovolt transformers, shunt reactors, and associated protection, control, metering, and telecommunications, configured to integrate the interconnector with Zambia’s grid and accommodate future interconnections. Component 2: Project Management and Technical Assistance strengthens implementation and the operationalization of the interconnector while advancing Zambia’s role as a regional trading hub; Sub-component 2.1: Project Implementation Unit supports operating costs for supervision, fiduciary and environmental and social capacity, vehicles, and targeted training; Sub-component 2.2: Owner’s Engineer provides independent technical oversight from finalizing bidding documents through construction supervision, certification, and cross-border interface coordination; Sub-component 2.3: Technical Assistance supports development of enabling frameworks for power trade including power purchase and transmission service arrangements, readiness for 400 kilovolt operations and maintenance, government level coordination with Malawi, preparation of future transmission projects including Independent Transmission Project models, participation in the Joint Technical Committee, and gender mainstreaming activities.