Charles Mhango gave a presentation about a mini-hydro project being developed by the Copperbelt University School of Engineering. The project aims to generate 1 megawatt of electricity for a rural Zambian community using hydrokinetic technology mounted on a barge in the Luapula River. It has the goals of participating in rural electrification efforts, exposing students to practical power generation experience, and generating income for the university. So far, onsite studies have been completed to collect topographical and hydrological data on the selected Mambilima rapids site, and the project partners are assessing feasibility.

1. Presentation by Charles Mhango
Lecturer - School of Engineering
ZAM 301 – A MINI- HYDRO PROJECT
BY THE COPPERBELT UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING

2. PRESENTATION OUTLINE
1. Background.
2. Project Activities.
3. Development Objectives.
4. Expected Results.
5. Project Impacts.
6. Project Partners.
7. Project Status.
8. Conclusion.

3. 1.0 Background
In 2009, The School of Engineering at the Copperbelt
University (CBU) decided to participate in the Government
launched Rural Electrification programme by developing a
mini-hydro plant to generate electricity for a rural
community. This project would not only benefit the rural
community but would act as a laboratory for the students.
After the preliminary survey, Mambilima rapids on the
Luapula River was picked as the best site for a mini-hydro
plant using hydro-kinetic energy of a flowing river. The
technology chosen was that of a modular gearless
hydrokinetic system that could be mounted on a barge to
supply about 1 mega watt of power to the local community.

4. 2.0 Project Activities (9 month period)
• Activity 1 Onsite study.
• Activity 2 Equipment & Transport Hire.
• Activity 3 Labour Hire.
• Activity 4 Local Consultancy & EIA.
• Activity 5 External Consultancy.
• Activity 6 Support staff services.
• Activity 7 Measurements & Evaluation.

5. 3.0 Development Objectives
• To participate in National objectives in rural electrification
as per MDGs.
• To demonstrate that electricity can be produced from the
rivers of Zambia without dams by simply using the hydro-
kinetic energy of a flowing river.
• To let CBU participate in the rural development programme
by providing hydro-electricity.
• To expose CBU students to a practical power station that
shall also be a centre for Research & Development.
• To generate income for CBU from a commercial enterprise.

6. 4.0 Expected Results
• The project shall demonstrate the energy potential in fast flowing rivers
that can be harnessed using appropriate technology.
• The project shall highlight means of servicing a rural community using
renewable energy.
• The project shall determine the means and levels of employment creation.
• The project shall assess the extent to which electronic media, education
facilities for the rural child and gender related information may be
accessed.
• The project shall determine whether the targeted power capacity for the
pilot plant of 1 MW of electricity is achievable.
• The project shall determine the extent of investment in agriculture and
related industrial activities.
• The study shall be used to sensitize the general public on renewable
energies and their financial social benefits through seminars, print and
electronic media.

7. 5.0 Project Impacts
• Combating poverty.
• Environmental.
• Good governance.
• HIV/AIDS

8. 6.0 Project Partners
• PROCCLAB – Technical Partner.
• Rural Electrification Authority (REA) – Local
Consultant.
• Ministry Of Energy and Water Development
(MOEWD) – M&E.

9. 7.0 Project Status
• Only Activity1 has been completed as follows:
1. Topographical Survey.
2. Hydrological Data.

10. 8.0 Conclusion
From the information and data acquired so far,
we are confident that this project is viable. We
now await the input from PROCCLAB to verify
our conclusion.

11. THANK YOU