Eaton switchgear for pioneering Mission Hospital

Eaton has contributed switchgear, free of charge, to a remarkable development project in a remote area of North West Zambia.  It provides changeover facilities between supplies from a new 750kW hydro-electric project and standby generating plant serving Kalene Mission Hospital and nursing training school.

Kalene Hospital, founded 100 years ago by missionaries, has a reputation for being in the front line of the fight against malaria.  Feasibility studies in the late 1950s had noted the potential for hydropower but the remote location made it impracticable to bring in the heavy plant required.  However, recently the North West Zambia Development Trust, a charity set up to assist development in the area, decided it could be done by utilizing local manpower with turbine plant broken down into manageable units of up to 10 tonnes.  The project, which would normally cost about £10 million, was completed for an estimated £1.5 million thanks to the efforts of around 400 local people, engineers from overseas who gave their time voluntarily, and companies like Eaton who contributed equipment.