Kalene's hydro power project (Update: new picture added)

A small-scale hydroelectric scheme is nearing completion in the Kalene area of north western Zambia.  According to Charles Rea of the North West Zambia Development Trust, the project will provide cheap, clean and sustainable power to the local area.

It will remove dependence on diesel generators and will supply Kalene Hospital, the local schools, clinics and orphanage.  In addition, there will be opportunities for Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) development.  Income from power would decrease dependency on expatriate income for the operation of Kalene Hospital and the other institutions at Kalene and the local area, freeing those funds for investment in other sectors of the local and national economy.  The project will create the basis of a self-sustaining, developing local economy.

The pictures below tell an inspiring story of work in progress (thanks to Charles Rea for all the photos).  Construction is expected to be completed in time for commissioning in April 2007.

Like many activities that are useful and worthwhile, the Kalene Project has not been without its ups and downs.  "It has been a long haul to get to completion in under three years of effort, " says Charles Rea.  But thanks to the strong support of the government and local leaders like the Honourable Chief Zengamina Nyakaseya and his senior wife, Charles and the project team knew that success in bringing clean, sustainable energy services to Kalene was only a matter of faith and time.

Comments

[John Woodfield]

I am a surgeon who will soon be joining the staff at Kalene Hospital.This project is central to plans to upgrade the hosptial. It will enable the hospital to use 24 hour power, which is essential for much of the medical equipment. Kalene Hosptial is linked to a series of other hosptials in Zambia and DCR. It is hoped that the renovated hosptial can be used as a training base to benefit not just the Kalene area but these other hosptials also.

[Ryan Shen-Hoover]

Very interesting. Many thanks for posting!

[David L. Grant]

A wonderful, inspiring story! You and other like-minded visionaries who carry on this work all over the planet are deserving of the world's praise and limitless support. If the governments of the world gave you all, as a group, one twentieth of what they spend on their militaries, we would soon be on our way to a much better world!