By KENNEDY MUPESENI –

A SOUTH African substation construction, civil engineering and renewable energy company has partnered with Zambian entrepreneurs to start operations in the country, with an initial investment of US$20 million.
Gridbow Engineers and Technical Services is set to begin operations in Zambia by the end of the month and the Zambian subsidiary would be called Gridbow Engineers PTY Zambia Limited.
In a statement at the weekend, head of marketing Dinki Mactribouy said driven by qualified engineers, with an impressive footprint in South Africa, the company has the capacity to deliver multidisciplinary engineering solutions.
“We are looking at investing around $20 million. We want to be able to participate in local projects and transfer skills in civil and electrical engineering to local engineers.
“This will cushion the current energy crisis the country is currently grappling with by providing an alternative energy resource,” Mr Mactribouy said.
He said the company was looking at providing alternative renewable energy solutions to people living off the grid as well as those living on the grid but preferring to use solar energy to power their homes.
The company would begin by importing the supplies required to assemble their products and indicated that the assembling would be done locally.
The company’s strategy was  to shift some of its  technical skills from South Africa to Zambia and invest in the short term in equipping a warehouse and training of local engineers  to participate in tenders, expand electrical and civil infrastructure.
On its long-term vision, it plans to invest heavily in renewable energy by setting up a solar power plant and sell power to the grid.