The project, jointly developed by NamPower and Zambia's power utility, Zesco, will see the current 66 kilovault power line from the Victoria Falls power station to Katima Mulilo in the eastern Caprivi Region upgraded to 220 kilovolts.

Addressing a media conference at the close of the SADC energy ministers meeting held in Windhoek last week, the Zambian Minister for Energy and Water Development, George Mpombo, said the African Development Bank had released US$10 million (N$60 million) towards the power line project, which is to benefit the two countries.

Mpombo said construction work would start in three weeks' time and the project was expected to be completed next year with commissioning of the power line set for November next year.

SADC ministers last week met in the capital for two days, to discuss the diminishing generation surplus capacity and the status of power generation in the region.

Namibia's power demands in the Caprivi region have grown, largely due to the irrigation needs of new sugar plantations and other commercial activities.

The project is expected to ease Namibia's reliance on expensive diesel-powered electricity generation.

Mpombo also said Zambia was expected to start exporting power to Kenya and Tanzania in 2006 following the signing of a memorandum of understanding in March this year between the commerce ministers of the three countries.

Namibia and Zambia also announced in March this year, that they had agreed to create a cross-border joint agriculture and power project as part of efforts to create jobs and end food insecurity.

In a joint statement, President Sam Nujoma and his Zambia counterpart, President Levy Mwanawasa said the project would involve some 10 000 hectares of farmland, relying on the joint power line which should be operating by November 2005.

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