.Yaluma

By SARAH MWANZA –
ACTING Energy Minister Christopher Yaluma has disclosed that the new power investment projects by ZESCO and some independent power producers at an estimate cost of US$9.7 billion will increase generation capacity of about 3,800 mega watts when completed.
Mr Yaluma said the projects such as the Kafue Gorge lower, Batoka hydro power project, Emco coal-fired thermal plant, Kalungwishi hydropower project, Ndola energy heavy fuel oil, plant phase II and photo voltaic solar power plants are some of the projects being undertaken.
He said this in Lusaka on Friday during the launch of the Energy Regulation Board’s (ERB) service charter and awards ceremony during the 20th Anniversary commemoration.
Mr Yaluma said interest in potential electricity generation projects continued to grow with a number of feasibility studies being undertaken or considered by local and foreign investors.
He said that ERB had embarked on a cost of service study that would provide the indicative cost of proving energy from different energy sources currently available on the market such as coal, heavy fuel oil and hydro to different customers’ categories.
“The ERB achieves this through the provision of reasonable returns on investment in the sector balanced with affordability for energy consumers,” he said.
Mr Yaluma said ERB had put in place measures to promote investment in solar projects by developing renewable energy feed-in-tariffs (refit) for solar projects of up to 20 mega watts.