By MAIMBOLWA MULIKELELA –
PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has announced commencement of the second round of the Zambia Scaling Solar programme targeting a further 200 mega-watts of solar photovoltaic (PV) power projects.
The solar project will be implemented by the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC).
On May 7, 2016, the Head of State launched construction of the 100 mega-watts under the first round of the Zambia Scaling Programme at the Lusaka South Multi-Facility Economic Zone (MFEZ).
President Lungu said this would form part of the 600 mega-watts solar power project to be implemented at a total cost of US$1.2 billion.
He said in Lusaka recently that subsequent rounds would be spread across Zambia until the entire 600 mega-watts was procured using the World Bank Scaling Solar Initiative.
The Scaling Solar is the World Bank group’s open competitive and transparent procurement model that facilitates the rapid development of privately-owned utility scale solar PV projects in sub-Saharan.
“Following the works done so far, it is my pleasure to formally announce that round two of the Zambia Scaling Solar Programme targeting a further development of 200 mega-watts of the solar PV project, divided into four projects, should now commence,” he said.
President Lungu who is also the chairperson of IDC said implementation of the solar PV projects would redress the current power deficit in Zambia.
He said Government through IDC would own a minimum of 20 per cent shareholding in each of these projects.
President Lungu said this was in line with Government’s policy of citizen’s empowerment saying that the shares would be offered to the public through an initial public offer on the Lusaka Stock Exchange (LuSE) as preferential offer restricted to citizens.
He said with regard to the Lusaka South MFEZ, the Government had made a lot of progress in the implementation of the industrialisation and job creation strategy.
“There is still work to be done, and it is hoped that once this zone is fully operational, it will accommodate over 400 export and domestic oriented businesses and create at least 100,000 job opportunities especially for the youths and women,” he said.