Kudu Gas shelved until investor is found

Government has shelved the Kudu Gas power plant project and is considering cheaper sources such as renewable energy, until an investor can take on the complex project.

The Kudu Gas project was supposed to be constructed in 2015 and completed in 2018.

The minister of mines and energy, Tom Alweendo, on Wednesday said Kudu Gas was on the planning horizon for a long time, but did not happen due to the scope of investment required.

Each time private sector investors had the funds to do the installation of the plant, they would realise the magnitude of the project, he said.

“Government should not be seen as the only one that should do the project. It was the private sector's project and the government was only going to buy the power,” he stated.

Government opted for the more financial viable option in renewable energy.

However, the Kudu Gas project is not off the cards until an investor who can afford the projects and sell the power at a sustainable price comes forward, Alweendo added. - Nampa