Inspirations from the Kafue Gorge Lower Hydropower Project
下凯富峡水电站项目启示
Ambassador Du Xiaohui Published an Article on Zambian Media
驻赞比亚大使杜晓晖在赞媒体发表署名文章
27 July 2022
2022年7月27日
On July 21, His Excellency President Mr. Hakainde Hichilema visited the Kafue Gorge Lower Hydropower Project (KGL). As a flagship project of the Belt and Road Initiative between China and Zambia, KGL is the largest infrastructure construction project in Zambia for the past 40 years. It is also a key project constructed by a Chinese company, Sino Hydro, using Chinese technology. KGL has a total installed capacity of 750MW with five generators and three 330KV transmission lines, which can promote the green and sustainable development of Zambia’s economy by effectively utilizing the abundant hydropower resource of the Kafue River. Chinese and Zambian Constructors of KGL have overcome miscellaneous difficulties, especially the impact of COVID-19 and debt problem. Now, 4 generators have been in operation and Unit 5 is also under active installation.
7月21日，希奇莱马总统参访下凯富峡水电站项目（下称“下凯”）。作为中赞“一带一路”建设合作的旗舰项目，下凯项目是近40年来赞比亚最大的基建项目，也是由中国公司承建、使用中国技术的重点工程。下凯项目总装机容量750兆瓦，共5台发电机组，同时配套3条330KV输电线路及附属设施，通过有效利用卡富埃河充沛的水力资源，推动赞经济社会绿色可持续发展。下凯项目建设过程中，中赞建设者们克服重重困难，特别是新冠疫情和债务困境冲击，总计4号机组完成并网发电，第5号机组正在安装中，目前整体完工进度约98%。
The success of the KGL marks “three sustainabilities”.
下凯项目体现了三个“可持续”。
The first is sustainability of debt. KGL was born out of the friendly cooperation between China and Zambia, and the efforts of both sides to put into production creating considerable income out of power generation ensure that the construction continues without being affected by debt. On the other hand, the project also provides a model for bilateral friendly consultation to solve the debt problem.
首先债务可持续。该项目因中赞友好合作而生，因双方努力投产发电创造收入，建设未受债务影响，更为双边友好协商解决债务问题提供示范。
The second is sustainability of development. Once the project is completed, KGL will increase the total installed capacity of power generation in Zambia by 38%, which will make this project the most powerful engine for the Zambian economy, help Zambia to be a net exporter of electricity, and lay a solid foundation for value-addition in Zambia’s mining, agriculture, and manufacturing.
其次发展可持续。下凯项目完全建成后，将有助于推动赞比亚装机总量提升38%，成为推动赞比亚经济发展最强劲的引擎，助力赞成为电力净出口国，为赞比亚的矿业、农业、制造业等提高附加值奠定坚实基础。
The third is sustainability of environment. After the establishment of KGL, it is expected to reduce carbon emissions by 663,500 tons per year, which will contribute to green development of Zambia’s economy and help Zambia cope with climate change. In the context of energy crisis, it is also an important security measure for Zambia.
第三环境可持续。下凯项目建成后，预计每年可减少66.35万吨碳排放，为赞比亚经济的绿色可持续发展作出贡献，帮助赞比亚更好应对气候变化。在能源安全大背景下，这也是重要安全举措。
In the face of challenges worldwide such as the weak recovery of the world economy, the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, and Ukraine crisis, KGL fully reflects the new characteristics of traditional friendship between China and Zambia, which is “all-weather, all-dimensional, high-quality”. Recently, His Excellency President Mr. Xi Jinping and His Excellency President Mr. Hakainde Hichilema had a very successful phone conversation. The two heads of state reached a number of consensuses, providing the top-level design for further deepening and consolidating China-Zambia friendship and enhancing mutual beneficial cooperation. The relevant departments of China and Zambia are making effort to implement consensuses of the conversation, which is reflected in the “four supports”.
面对世界经济复苏乏力、新冠疫情、气候变化、乌克兰危机等挑战，下凯项目的顺利推进反映了新时代中赞传统友好 “全天候、全方位、高质量”的新特质。近期，习近平主席和希奇莱马总统成功通话。两国元首达成多项共识，为进一步深化巩固中赞友好、增强互利合作提供了顶层设计。中方和赞方有关部门一道正全力落实通话共识，体现在“四个支持”上。
First, we support the Zambian government’s plan to produce 3 million tons of copper annually within ten years. For this, mining, electricity, transportation, and consumer market are needed. Relevant Chinese companies are willing to further expand their investment in Zambia’s mining industry and have the ability and willingness for new energy solutions like “pumped storage + solar”, with less investment and taking advantage of season difference in Zambia. China and Zambia are also discussing the reactivating of TAZARA. China is the largest market in this century and is willing to support Zambia development goals in terms of development of the whole industry chain and supply chain.
一支持赞政府十年内年产铜300万吨的计划。为此，需要矿业、电力、运输通道、消费市场。中国相关企业愿意进一步扩大在赞加大矿业投入，同时在抽水蓄能+光伏发电等投入少、用好季节差的新能源解决方案上也有能力和意愿。中赞双方正在认真探讨激活坦赞铁路。中国是本世纪最大的市场，愿在全产业链和供应链上支持赞比亚国家发展目标。
Second, we support the Zambian side to solve debt problems. KGL is a typical case in this regard. Chinese constructors are dedicated to building a monument with passion and sacrifice, which demonstrates that debt will not hinder China-Zambia cooperation. Also, in the first and second meetings of the Creditor Committee for Zambia under the Common Framework for Debt Treatments beyond the DSSI, the Chinese co-chair actively played the leading role and promoted the formation of the common position.
二支持赞方解决债务问题。下凯项目是个典型案例，中国的建设者用汗水甚至牺牲立起一座债务不会阻碍合作的丰碑。在债权人委员会首次、二次会议中，中方积极发挥共同主席领导作用，推动形成共同立场。
Third, we support the agricultural development of Zambia. Recently, China proposed the initiative of the International Cooperation on Global Food Security to advocate helping developing countries enhance their capacity for food production, storage, and loss reduction in terms of capital, technology, market and so on. During the visit to KGL, His Excellency the President witnessed the signing of two protocols for the export of stevia and soybean meal to China. China will actively implement the initiative and take the signing of two protocols as an opportunity to continue to strengthen cooperation with Zambia in the field of agriculture, and jointly promote food security in Africa.
三支持赞农业发展。中方日前提出国际粮食安全合作倡议，倡导在资金、技术、市场等方面帮助发展中国家提升粮食生产、收储和减损能力。在参访下凯项目期间，希奇莱马总统阁下见证了中赞双方签署两份关于原产于赞比亚甜叶菊和豆粕输华的议定书。中方将积极落实倡议，以签署协议为契机，继续加强与赞农业领域合作，共同推动非洲粮食安全。
Fourth, we support Zambia’s capacity building. During the construction of KGL, Sino Hydro established the Training Institute, which provided free education and training for the Zambian residents, and has delivered a total of 332 skilled talents to other construction projects here in Zambia. China will continue to assist Zambia’s capacity building through short-term training and degree training.
四支持赞能力建设。下凯项目建设过程中，中水电创办了中国水电培训学院，为学员提供免费的教育培训，共计向赞各工程建设输送了332名基建领域急需的技能人才。中方将通过短期培训和学历学位培训等继续支持赞能力建设。
The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step. The most important inspiration of KGL is that as long as we work together, the traditional friendship between China and Zambia will surely create a better life for our two peoples in the new era.
“千里之行始于足下”。下凯项目的最大启示就是，只要双方共同努力中赞传统友谊在新时代一定能给两国人民创造更加美好的生活。