By Sharon Siame
President HAKAINDE HICHILEMA says Zambia has set an ambitious target to produce 10,000 megawatts of electricity as part of a broader plan to create a single African power market.
President HICHILEMA says the country intends to scale up electricity generation from the current 3,500 megawatts, supported by a diversified energy mix that includes hydro, solar and clean thermal power.
He was speaking at the Continental Energy and Infrastructure Investment Forum held in Lusaka today.
President HICHILEMA said three gigawatts of the additional capacity will come from clean coal technologies, while expanded solar generation and net metering systems will enable households and small businesses to sell surplus electricity back into the national grid.
And the President criticised regional power trading arrangements, noting that Zambia was unable to import electricity during the recent drought despite the presence of regional interconnectors.
He pointed to missing transmission links with Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo, arguing that while Africa has power generation capacity, it remains constrained by inadequate transmission infrastructure.
President HICHILEMA has since called for joint investments involving Zambia, South Africa and Zimbabwe, aimed at improving project bankability, lowering risk and strengthening regional energy security.
Meanwhile, Energy Minister MAKOZO CHIKOTE has invited investors to take advantage of opportunities in Zambia’s expanding energy sector.
Mr. CHIKOTE said investment in the energy sector will support key areas of the economy, including agriculture, mining and manufacturing.
He said the Government is planning for future demand, with efforts under way to establish electricity interconnectors between Zambia and all its neighbouring countries.
Meanwhile, South African Electro-technical Export Council Chief Executive Officer CHIBONI EVANS said traditional leaders play a central role in energy initiatives, which is why they are involved from the beginning through to project completion.
FNB Zambia Chief Executive Officer KAPUMPE CHOLA said Africa’s energy future depends on home-grown solutions shared at such forums, adding that financial institutions are prepared to fund energy and infrastructure projects.
Lusaka Province Minister SHEAL MULYATA said African countries can improve citizens’ living standards through quality infrastructure and greater energy efficiency, both of which are vital for economic growth.
