12/02/2025
ZESCO OWN WORKS
Zesco has a planning department/Section across the entire electricity value chain; Generation ➡️ Transmission ➡️ Distribution. Within the planning section, a Construction unit is there that Manages and Supervises the connection of new "apparatus" to the Zesco Grid. The Construction unit also oversees the upgrade of existing infrastructure on the Grid!
Over the years, Zesco Management has adopted a posture of not doing most of the construction/upgrade works in-house. These works are instead given out to Engineering Construction Companies, more technically known as Contractors. The reason for this orientation could have been threefold;
I. Customer Satisfaction; Quick and bespoke customer solutions.
ii. Facilitate a lean Zesco structure.
iii. Create a platform for enhanced Public-Private Partnerships especially with SME's.
Under own works there are generally three stakeholders involved;
a. Client; The stakeholder in need of the service/product.
b. Contractor; The Project Manager and executor of the requested service/works.
c. Zesco; The authority and regulator of the requested works/service.
The client will communicate to the suitable contractor on what their need is and the contractor will advise the viable engineering approach to meet that need. The engineering solution will include a description of the materials, equipment and technical specifications of the same. Further the contractor will also provide a Bill of Quantity/Materials to the client. Upon reaching a consensus, the client and Contractor firm up on a Contract. The Contractor then helps the client to apply to Zesco for the permission of own works. The stages of this process are captured in the attachment.
Examples of Zesco own works;
1. Residential/Commercial; a house, farm, office block, Mall, Lodge, Church etc where the Zesco Grid is not in the vicinity. Grid extension/expansion to service this need falls under own works.
2. Equipment upgrade; Where the existing electrical infrastructure can longer meet the increased demand there is need to upgrade such "apparatus" as Over Head lines, Cables, Transformers etc.
3. Industrial Service; These may include electrical infrastructure to a processing plant, factory, Mine, etc These may include Substation, Transmission or Distribution network.
4. Re-location of Electrical installation; A situation where the location of existing electrical installations are hindering the clients desired maximum usage of their premises, own works makes it possible to relocate such electrical installations so that the client may maximise use of their land asset.
