The Ministry of Energy wishes to inform the nation that preparations are underway for the commissioning of the state-of-the-art fuel storage depot in Lusaka West. Construction of the multi-billion Kwacha facility was successfully completed in 2024.
The government is currently finalising discussions with the contractors to pave the way for the commissioning process, which will include both cold and hot commissioning phases in the coming weeks.
Following today’s tour of the depot by senior government officials and technical experts from the Department of Petroleum, the Ministry is satisfied with the quality and readiness of the infrastructure.
This visit has reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to commission the facility without delay and ensure that it begins serving its intended purpose of strengthening the country’s fuel storage and supply systems.
The Lusaka West depot boasts a total storage capacity of 102 million litres, making it one of the largest fuel storage facilities in the region. Once commissioned, it will significantly enhance Zambia’s fuel security, increase national stockholding capacity, and improve the overall efficiency and resilience of the petroleum supply chain.
In addition, the facility will ease the distribution of fuel across the country by reducing logistical bottlenecks and supporting a more reliable and timely supply of petroleum products.
This strategic investment is also central to the implementation of the TAZAMA Pipeline Open Access Framework, which is designed to liberalise the use of pipeline and storage infrastructure.
By allowing multiple players to access and utilise the system, the framework will promote transparency, competition, and private sector participation in the petroleum subsector.
The Ministry reaffirms its commitment to ensuring the successful delivery and operation of this critical infrastructure.
The Lusaka West depot is a key milestone in the Government’s broader strategy to modernise and expand Zambia’s energy infrastructure in support of economic growth, regional trade, and equitable energy access for all citizens.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
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