. Zulu

By KENNEDY MUPESENI? –
THE Government is in the process of revising the Electricity Act and the Energy Regulation Act for purposes of liberalisation and independent regulation of the energy sector, Mines, Energy and Water Development deputy Minister Charles Zulu has said.
This was aimed at creating an enabling environment for private investment in the country’s energy sector.
Mr Zulu said this during the opening of the Zambia International Energy Conference in Lusaka yesterday that positive strides had already been made in creating an environment for local and international players to participate in the development, expansion and diversification of the energy sector.
“As a demonstration of our commitment, the Government is revising the electricity Act and the energy regulation of the energy sector in the country,’’ he said.
The Government had also adopted the grid-code which was launched in October 2013 which provided for technical requirements for the connection and use of an electrical transmission system other than owning power utilities.
Mr Zulu said the grid-code would also ensure that a third party could use the system in a reliable, efficient, economic, and secure manner.?He said increasing access to electricity particularly in the rural areas was one of the priority areas in the action plan.
It was for this reason that Government was promoting increased access to rural areas using renewable energy based on a decentralised off grid system.
Renewable energy had huge potential to contribute to the national energy mix and increase access to sustainable energy.
Stanbic Bank Zambia chief executive officer Charles Mudiwa said Zambia being one of the fastest growing economies in the sub-Saharan Africa, was well positioned to tap into its abundant energy resources for?sustained economic development.
“As a bank we are happy to note Government’s commitment in the energy sector in which it pledges to expand electricity generation and transmission capacities,” he said.
This year’s three day’s conference was being held under theme ‘Power and Renewable Energy; Unlocking Zambia’s Investment and Growth Potential at 50’, has attracted more than 200 local and international delegates.
He added that innovative funding arrangements were areas where the private sector could get involved.
“At Stanbic we are committed to moving our communities forward and are focused on funding energy projects that will sustain socio-economic?development,” he said.