ZAMBIA will become a regional exporter of electricity once the development of new sources such as the 600 megawatts (MW) solar photo voltaic power plants are commissioned, Deputy Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Raymond Mpundu has said.
Speaking yesterday at the Zambia scaling solar bidders’ conference, Mr Mpundu said Government has prioritised energy diversification with solar power being a key priority.
He said the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and the World Bank have started the development of two solar power plants of 50
MW each for an initial total of 100MW out of the targeted 600MW that will cost US$1.2 billion.
“The key advantage of the programme is that it procures solar power from the private sector at the lowest possible cost in tariff terms.
“In addition, the development of new electricity sources will contribute to increasing our country’s export base, while creating employment during project construction, operation and maintenance of 600MW solar power plants,” Mr Mpundu said.
He said Government will not be required to support the procurement and development of a large-scale solar power into Zesco through provision of a sovereign guarantee since the World Bank has already confirmed its support for the initial 300MW one through a partial risk guarantee facility (PRG).
“This is the first time the PRG facility is being used in Zambia. Government through IDC will continue to play a catalytic role by co-investing with the private sector in either existing or new business ventures that contribute to Zambia’s economic development,” Mr Mpundu said.
Round one of the scaling solar programme has attracted the interest and participation of all major players and leading solar energy companies in the world.
The winning bidders will be responsible for the financing, construction, operation and maintenance of their respective plants under 25-year power purchase agreements.
The IDC will own a minimum of 20 percent shareholding in each project
We hear that to the local agent of Debeers in Zambia-brother HeHeeee, as long as his masters Debeers have no stake in this, its no brainer. If miraclously Zambians ever risk their country, HeHeee will disband it and reconstitute the same like way he did with Livingstone Hotel as Nchanga mines and all are lined up.
PF government are very good dreamers, if solar a good option why dream of exporting when you have shortages at home
Very stupid statement coming from Mr. Rayomd Mpundu there. You cannot start talking about exporting a commodity that you do not have and are short of. Who is he trying to impress? Who is he trying to fo0l?
@ndobo this deputy Minister has obviously tickled our very own formerly well respected critic @Senior Citizen! Only a dodo can think about exporting when we haven’t yet satisfied local demand! This business of demonizing one “Zambia-brother HeHeeee” is not on! Whilst I’m no fan of HH, I find it difficult to blame him for most of the happenings in Zambia! We are all in this together!
This PF stance now adds up. If they win, PF will increase electricity tariffs by 400%,as they tried to do late last year. As Zambians will fail to pay for electricity because of their poverty, PF will then export the “surplus” electricity. Simple! That’s why
#ChagwaMustFall
Export or import? Mediocre minds as usual, these are the leaders in our precious country. Mann this makes me angry!
YABA! only in PF can those sentiments be uttered. How do you think of exporting when your country is in deep need? We have no option but vote you out this year.
Hahahaha its laughable indeed. Even before you start producing 100MW, you are dreaming of becoming a regional exporter of electricity. hahahaha! What do they smoke in PF?
Shame really. He should be thinking and saying Zambia will be able to provide all its citizen with power once the solar kicks in and that the country will be able to increase manufacturing activities and also the mines will be able to get enough electricity to push production of copper to a million tons per year. With extra power, the government will be able to accelerate the establishment of minerals and agro beneficiation facilities. Currently less than 20% of Zambians have access to electricity and all the Kaponya can think of is selling electricity in order to steal money.
You can not even own something 100% even where you know you will earn forex..what a bunch of empty tins!
This doesn’t quite stuck up. The Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System, which is a concentrated solar thermal plant in the California Mojave Desert, is the biggest in the world with a capacity of 392MW. It cost $2.2. billion and Zambia expects to build a 600MW plant for $1.2 billion.
Also, with the levelized cost of electricity for solar at $0.30 per kwh compared to hydro at $0.04 one wonders whether or not it is feasible to export this electricity. I am guessing ZESCo will struggle to sell this at a cost-reflective tariff? Its does not do so now.
This is what you get when you have a failed lawyer in State House.
Do these people really think that they will have customers willing to buy power at 0.50 US Dollars?
We need a business man in charge, not a failure that steals his clients money!
What a bunch of clowns! This must be the most useless and inept Government in the whole world!
They cannot even manage to repair and maintain Kariba dam, yet they are talking of exporting solar power!
These dunderheads must think Zambia is the only country that gets sunshine! Why should any investor put up a solar facility here where costs are sky high and PF incompetence is blatantly manifest in almost every thing Lungu and his clowns do?
When they can go to a neighboring country and have a business environment where there is no Chief Government Disaster Kambwili threatening and insulting them?
How dull can people get without being certifiable idd.iot.s!
I guess it makes sense that a country that exports copper but cannot supply electricity to its own feels it has the ability to export power that it cannot supply to its own. We have always come last when it comes down to developing our own country. We want others to come and develop their schemes and let them guzzle all the benefits with ultimately nothing to show but pretty malls, incomplete bridges, half planned roads and fat bank accounts to the brokers.
Everyone in the PF is now confused. They hardly know what to say. This is panicking. How can you start talking about exporting power when you have not yet started even the feasibility study of that project?
@God’s Creation, the PF are all dull fools.