Add solar plants to grid, Zesco urged
Published On July 13, 2016 » 1609 Views» By Bennet Simbeye » Business
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By JUDITH NAMUTOWE –
AN energy expert has challenged Zesco to take a bold step to bring solar power plants into the grid as part of the immediate solution to the power deficit Zambia is facing.
Geoffrey Chiyumbe, a professional engineer and expert in solar energy, said in Lusaka that the problem of power should not be taken as “business as usual”, but as a crisis that needed immediate solutions.
Mr Chiyumbe said one of the immediate solutions to the problem could be the promotion of solar power plants that could feed into the Zesco grid.
“Zesco is key in this process as the offtaker and owner of the national power grid. The question is how prepared is Zesco now as an institution for these new sustainable renewable energy technologies?
“The problem of power should not be taken as business as usual, but as a crisis that needs immediate solutions such as the promotion of solar power plants that can feed into the Zesco grid,” he said.
Mr Chiyumbe said continuous talk about the problem would not solve it without action, adding that Zambia should no longer be blaming the rains and the Government for continued load shedding, but instead diversify power generation by having a mix away from hydro power.
He said he was ready to work with any institution or the Government to ensure that Zambia became self-reliant in terms of energy generation.
Mr Chiyumbe has produced a working document on how solar energy could be one of the best alternative sources of energy if it was integrated into the Zesco grid.
He further commended the Industrial Development Corporation for taking the lead in promoting solar power plants in the country.

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