By KENNEDY MUPESENI –

THE Bio-fuel Association of Zambia (BAZ) is ready to engage in full-scale production of renewable energy sources once tenders are approved by the Government.
Last year Government floated tenders for the supply of biofuel energy in the country to enable companies participate and localised most of the industry ownership.
BAZ chairperson Thomson Sinkala said members were waiting for Government to announce those that had qualified for the tender to produce and supply bio-ethanol for national blending.
“We are waiting for Government announcement of those that have qualified for the tender to produce and supply bio-ethanol for national blending and we are geared to start producing bio-ethanol,” Professor Sinkala said.
He said the future was bright for the country as regards renewable energy and what was needed was to break the ground so that all players could start to experience the benefits of the industry.
“We should now quickly move into production so that the rural people can benefit from the so wide mainstream, backward and forward linkages of the industry. The industry is highly participatory, therefore accommodating the entire strata of society, including women, the youth and the physically challenged,” Prof Sinkala.
A number of countries in Africa, such as Ethiopia, Kenya, Sierra Leone and Zimbabwe had made positive strides and were already producing and blending bio-ethanol into gasoline, yet their bio-fuels debate started much later than Zambia.
Prof Sinkala said Zambia started the quest to engage in bio-fuel production in 2006 but that since then there had not been any production hence depriving the rural population who were hitherto the most marginalised.
It was important the country started production this year, since the tender process had now been put in motion.
He said technologies were now practically available to even produce fuel from grass, urban and agricultural waste, and wood.
“We simply cannot continue to remain inept amidst these abundant opportunities”, he said.
Prof Sinkala who is Thomro Biofuels Investment Limited managing director said that other than preparatory activities towards bio-fuels production, his company was also producing Moringa.
“We are producing Moringa, one of the world’s foremost herbal dietary supplements which boost immune system. We are also undertaking research and development to support the bio-fuels industry,” he added.