Kafue Gorge Upper Power Station

The Kafue Gorge Upper Power Station (KGU), is an operational 900 megawatts (1,206,920 hp) hydroelectric power plant across the Kafue River in Zambia.[1]

Kafue Gorge Upper Power Station
Map of Zambia showing the location of Kafue Gorge Upper Power Station.
CountryZambia
LocationKafue Gorge
Coordinates15°48′25″S 28°25′16″E
PurposePower
StatusOperational
Opening date1973
Owner(s)Government of Zambia
Operator(s)ZESCO
Dam and spillways
ImpoundsKafue River
Turbines6 x 150 MW
Installed capacity900 megawatts (1,200,000 hp)

Location

KGU is located on the Kafue River, approximately 95 kilometres (59 mi), by road, south of Lusaka, the capital and largest city in Zambia.[2] This is approximately 75 kilometres (47 mi) upstream of where the Kafue River empties into the Zambezi River, and approximately 17 kilometres (11 mi) upstream of the Kafue Gorge Lower Power Station.[3] The geographical coordinates of Kafue Gorge Upper Power Station are:15°48'25.0"S, 28°25'16.0"E (Latitude:-15.806944; Longitude:28.421111).[4]

Overview

KGU is an earth-rockfill dam with a concrete spillway with four radial gates. The electromechanical capacity is six generators of 150 megawatts each, for maximum capacity of 900 megawatts. The reservoir measures 80,940 hectares (312.5 sq mi) in surface area. The power generators and electromechanical power house are below ground.[5][6] The water effluent from 900 megawatts Kafue Gorge Upper Power Station is used downstream to power the 750 megawatts Kafue Gorge Lower Power Station, in what is known as cascaded generation.[7]

History

Construction of this power station started in 1967. In 1971, the first 150 megawatt turbine was installed and commissioned. Three other turbines were installed and commissioned in 1972.[5] At some point between 1973 and 2009, two more turbines of 150 megawatts each, were installed to bring the generating capacity at the power station to 900 megawatts.[1]

The station currently has an installed capacity of 990 MW with six (6) generators with a capacity of 165 MW each. The power plant has a 330 kV power line output.

References
  1. Electricity Forum (November 2009). "Zambian hydroelectric feasibility study complete". Pickering, Ontario, Canada: Electricityforum.com. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  2. Google (16 May 2020). "Distance Between Lusaka And Kafue Gorge Upper Power Station" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  3. Jean Marie Takouleu (23 September 2019). "Zambia: Sinohydro Halts Work At Kafue Gorge Dam Site". Paris, France: Afrik21.africa. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  4. Google (16 May 2020). "Location of Kafue Gorge Upper Power Station" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  5. Olivier H. (1978). Great Dams in Southern Africa. London, New York, Cape Town: Purnell & Sons. Archived from the original (Archived from the original on 5 September 2006) on 5 September 2006. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  6. Energoprojekt (16 May 2020). "Kafue Gorge Hydroelectric Power Plant, Zambia". Belgrade: Energoprojekt. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  7. ZESCO (16 May 2020). "Cascaded Generation: An Innovation to Increase Generation Capacity". Lusaka: ZESCO. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
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