ERB approves 471 licenses

By Masauso Mkwayaya

The Energy Regulation Board (ERB) has approved 471 licenses this year, with a combined investment value of over 800 million dollars across various energy sub-sectors.

ERB Director General, Elijah Sichone, says this is meant to ensure stability in the electricity and petroleum energy sub-sectors.

Speaking during ERB’s end-of-year press briefing in Lusaka, Mr. Sichone said 21 power supply agreements, with a potential to produce 5,000 megawatts of electricity, were also approved.

Mr. Sichone added that the Board has further approved 26 power purchase agreements and 14 power import agreements.

He said most of the power supply agreements focus on establishing new electricity generation projects and entities, including in solar energy.

Mr. Sichone further noted that the Net Metering model is now operational, enabling consumers to feed excess electricity into the grid.

Mr. Sichone said ERB is waiting for a report from ZESCO on its performance regarding the implementation of the emergency tariffs, where the utility was expected to supply 7 hours of electricity to consumers every day.

Mr. Sichone said the ERB has developed the TAZAMA Open Access guidelines to allow more Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) to use the pipeline to transport low-sulphur diesel.

Meanwhile, Mr. Sichone said demand for diesel in 2024 has risen to 4.2 million liters per day compared to 3.6 million liters per day in 2023.

He attributes this to increased use of diesel generators due to load shedding.

Mr. Sichone said petrol demand remains steady at 1.6 million liters per day, compared to 1.63 million liters in 2023.