Government is finalizing a legislation that will allow for the private sector to participate in off grid solutions by powering entities with renewable energy.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Ethiopia Investment Conference organized by Renewable Energy for Africa Solutions, Energy Minister Mathew Nkhuwa said the documentation on the new legislation is already with the Ministry of Justice and government is hopeful that it could be tabled in parliament soon.
Mr. Nkhuwa said Zambia has an opportunity to demonstrate that generating power by the private can be done at low tarrifs are possible.
He said Zambia achieved one of the best tariffs in Africa of 6 cents per kilo watts per hour from the Ngoye and Bangweulu projects, stating that this was achieved with the technical help from Renewable Energy for Africa Solutions.
Mr. Nkhuwa said Zambia had invested in renewable energy projects such as solar, wind and hydro.
And the Minister said Zambia”s plans to diversify power generation was advanced and the nuclear project had made headway.
He said there are plans to upgrade the University of Zambia, Copperbelt University and Northern Technical College in order to offer training in Nuclear Science.
He said this follows an assessment that was carried out to ascertain the readiness of the country in introducing nuclear energy.
Mr. Nkhuwa said the programme that is mainly being driven by President Edgar Lungu will see Zambian Students being trained before the country can decide to put up a nuclear plant.
This is according to a statement issued by First Secretary for Press and Tourism at the Zambian Embassy in Ethiopia, Inutu Mwanza.
Say something upendi cadres. Have you not smelled corruption,
Yes this smells of corruption and it’s a move done retrospectively to legitimise the sale of ZESCO to the Chinese by Chagwa Lungu.
This action has been taken to try and legitmise the grabbibg of ZESCO as collateral by the Chinese for non payment of Chinese loans.
PF also sold ZAFFICO dubiously by only offering the shares to the Chinese they owe money and some PF top officials. They later defended the move by floating shares on LUSE without following privatisation procedure.
PF s privatisation is most corrupt privatisation exercise ever to done by a Zambian govt. MMD did better and all stake holders were involved including reputable international organisations played a part.
Talk is cheap,
Just wondering, every time there is an increase in electricity tariffs, who are the private players you talk about that want favorable tariffs? How and why do they complain about low tariffs as a reason they can’t supply to the grid, when in actual fact there is no provision for them in the law.
We need answers from ERB.
This is a good move but my understanding is the renewable energy provides very little for the national grid.
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Good first step. The ultimate aim is to have intelligent on-grid private / homestead solar systems that can enable one to sell excess power onto the grid. Some Asian countries are already doing it and Zambia can too – not so Victor?
This is a move in the right direction. We need to encourage PPP between the state and ZAMBIANS first! Renewable energy will allow new cities and towns to develop because in this God endowed country, we have plenty of wind, sunshine and waste! Zambians will also most likely employ fellow Zambians. It can be a win-win situation if we ensure that our institutions of oversight are independent and working equitably for all, including foreign investors. There are more than enough angry Zambians, who want to see justice and equity meted out in any business transaction that includes state resources or national assets that belong to all Zambians. An audit of state assets sold off since 1991, when the first privitatisation exercise was undertaken, must be done by men and women of integrity to allow…
I agree with Rapsody, ZESCO can facilitate a five year micro lease finance scheme funded by WB and paid monthly with electricity bills to have households purchase solar panels and batteries and be able to sell excess power into the grid as financial empowerment. This will encourage nationwide public support to increase tariffs on electricity for a better return on investment because people will see an income generating opportunity and one that also mitigates cost of electricity consumption. People should learn to think outside the box this is a no brainer. Stop thinking politics
“Government is finalizing a legislation that will allow for the private sector to participate in off grid solutions by powering entities with renewable energy.” This should have been done in 1993. MMD sure mwe kikikiki.