Zambian Firm Withdraws From LEC Bid

Zambian power companies Zesco and Copperbelt Energy Corp (CEC) have withdrawn their joint bid to manage Liberia Electricity Corporation, the CEC executive chairman said on Sunday.

Zambian state utility Zesco and CEC, the largest distributor of power to the southern African country’s mines, were shortlisted to manage Liberia Electricity Corporation, whose infrastructure was run down during the country’s civil war. [ID: nLDE61F0FC]

“We withdrew from the Liberian bid because Zesco opted to drop out citing huge challenges back home and we thought we should not proceed alone as CEC,” Hanson Sindowe told Reuters.

Power blackouts are a regular feature for domestic users in Zambia, who are frequently switched off as Zesco rations power to ensure a steady supply to key industries like the mines.

Sindowe said Zesco and CEC withdrew after the Liberia Power Corporation had prequalified them to the next round of the bidding process whose tendering closed on March 16.

“It is unfortunate that we had to withdraw from the race at such an advanced stage but we hope to work with Zesco on other international projects in future,” he said.

The other firms still in the race to manage the Liberia power utility are Canada’s Manitoba Hydro International, NTE of Norway and Siemens.-Reuters