By SYLVIA MWEETWA, MAIMBOLWA MULIKELELA and CHATULA KANGALI –

AS THE countrywide power load-shedding continues, traders selling alternative sources of energy are cashing in on the rising demand.
There is an increase in demand and enquiry for solar products,
generators, charcoal and other sources of energy in Lusaka and other places.
A check at Lusaka’s town centre revealed that sales for solar panels and generator sets have gone up in the last two weeks.
This has been attributed to the power outages which have hit the country in the last weeks due to power generation deficit.
A trader, Ben Chewe said a number of people are buying the solar panels unlike previously where it was difficult to even sell one panel
per day.
“Now we have a number of people asking us how much the solar panels cost and what is required  to install them. We are now selling more solar panels than before and I would say our sales have gone up by at least three per cent,” Mr Chewe said.
For the generator set, the situation was similar.
Charcoal traders have increased  prices of the commodity following a  rise in demand and a check at Lusaka’s Mtendere, Bauleni and other markets found charcoal traders selling a 25 kilogramme bag at K40 from K30.
In Kabwe, some business firms have complained over loss of business due the long hours of load-shedding by ZESCO.
An entrepreneur Andrew Mulenga,  yesterday recounted how he lost loaves of bread following the unexpected blackout which was effected before the
Zesco-stipulated time for load-shedding.
This came to light during a sensitisation forum organised by ZESCO in Kabwe.
Dairy Association of Zambia vice chairperson, Steve Gao said the continued black out was negatively affecting the business which resulted into loss of income.
But Zesco senior manager generation development Enerst Banda said the load-shedding was inevitable and that, Zesco was equally interested in increased investment in the country.
Meanwhile, a Lusaka- based development analyst says  ZESCO load-shedding will have a negative effect on the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Nsama Chikwanka said in an interview that the current electricity shortage would lower the country’s macro-economic achievements.
He said the targeted 5.1-per cent GDP growth rate would be pushed downwards because the current production of goods and services would be affected.