THE Ministry of Energy and Water Development is reviewing its master plan to speed up water harvesting and enhance power production.
This is according to Energy and Water Development Minister, Dora Siliya.
Ms Siliya said the ministry was working towards reducing the power deficit next year and was, therefore, reviewing its master plan.
The plan was being reviewed to accelerate water-harvesting and to better manage the water bodies.
Zambia’s main power source is electricity generated from the water bodies.
Ms Siliya said the ministry would strive to reduce the electricity deficit next year using various measures.
She said this through her Facebook posting.
“The Ministry of Energy and Water development will strive in 2016 to reduce the electricity deficit. I am pleased that the first unit of Itezhi Tezhi was successfully commissioned,” she said.
She said investment in hydro and solar power remained a priority as the country continued to pray for good rainfall.
The ministry would also work hard to have consistent supply of fuel to avoid disruption of economic activities.
Ms Siliya said while climate change was a reality, the ministry would not sit idle.
She also said during the festive season, Zesco would not load-shed customers on Christmas Day, New Year’s eve and on New Year’s Day.
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Dora should be talking of alternative sources of power such as wind to supplement the current insufficient sources. With the current worldwide climatic variation, dry spells will never cease and she will keep refering to the low kariba dam water levels.
MAN KENYA, there is no wind in Zambia that can produce enough electricity throughout the year. Dr Egan, a Physics lecturer at UNZA in late 1970s showed that. The sources we have are hydro, solar and geo-thermal. We may also use coal, but our coal is too dirty for the environment. Before HEP came to many towns in Zambia, diesel powered generators were used. We can revive these to stand by. Compared to the 1960s, the diesel generators are more efficient and at the current oil prices, they are worth looking into.