Leader of the deregistered National Democratic Congress Chishimba Kambwili has urged Government not to increase electricity Tariffs following its decision to import power from South Africa.
Mr. Kambwili has described as unfortunate proposals by Government on the need to up power charges.
He said the majority of Zambians are economically disadvantaged and should not be subjected to explorative higher energy tariffs.
He adds that the increase in energy costs will also see water utility firms marginally adjust their tariffs.
Mr Kambwili notes that any adjustments in power tariffs will impact negatively on the country.
He was reacting to sentiments by Chief Government spokesperson Dora Siliya who is quoted as saying that energy tariffs are too low and need to be adjusted.
Mr. Kambwili said this in an interview with journalists in Lusaka today.
Meanwhile, Minister of Energy Mathew Nkhuwa said the government is in the process of engaging Mozambique on the possibility of importing power from that country.
Mr Nkhuwa said the government is considering importing up to 400 Mega Watts of power to cushion the power deficit caused by low water levels at lake Kariba.
Chief government spokesperson Dora Siliya yesterday announced the government will be importing 300 Mega Watts from South Africa.
Very good point there. They must re-register his party, Musenge can hang. This man is way better than HH.
Long term solution, expedite Nuke Energy.
Meanwhile, Government should do what is in the best interest of the Country, let alone, it’s people.
These are difficult times nevertheless.
Worsted money on Mamba Coal plants, like many other PF disaster projects.
I agree for the first time with him. Valid point
What is wrong with us Zambians? You want every thing to be given to you free! Importing power is not cheap which even Kambwili knows. Use firewood if you can not afford electricity simple. Nobody’s fault that there is not enough water in our rivers. Would you be happy if there was completely no power because Government has no means to import ?
The position Not to increase prices is correct and also the need for power is important and should not be underestimated but the concern is the cost of that energy capacity and wheeling costs
The events that have led to the power outages are outside the powers of the minister or the utility Zesco but could be mitigated
For those against because of xeno attacks and others must see the bigger picture in the outages
Eskom is a bigger mega utility in installed capacity compared to Zesco, and at-least well diversified in power generation though coal heavy or thermal Its currently projected to have supply challenges in coal and working around to ensure supply security The current…
organisational transformation strategies and as indicated by the minister now at WEF in cape town now will make the sale of these excel coal power plants to help restructure the USD 450 Billion to Debt holders ,the situation that will not work for the power security in SA for the long-term that will affect the regional SAPP and power structure Eskom is seen to emerge worse off from the unbundling than in its current setup, an alternative view that is silent amongst those pushing for the sell Eskom has a projected coal shortfall of 1.3 Billion tonnes to 2050 needed for power generation
So Zambia must workout out its own powers security strategies and reduce the cost of power
As a SAPP…
member utilities act to Balance the power needs of fellow utilities according to rules of the regional SAPP in the short term, the longer term for individual utilities is to restraegies the IRP for long-term to come
The question is still and must be answered now that how does the minister increase the mix and installed in the short term and navigate the demand sustainability and import as the last resort and not to increase electricity tariffs The first for the utility constrained is demand side management and efficient usage of cooling,heating and lighting methods through LED and the other is simply Power Balancing and lastly load shed Effective communication of these management…
50% increment on zero is zero, better to pay a little more and have access to electricity than sit in the dark and grumble that you won’t pay to get your lights back on.
The moment Edgar will begin to listen to you, it’ll be the beginning of further chaos. Rhetorical buffoonery won’t win you elections
We still need much Investments and external funding support in Africa and Zambia in particular for Energy and Power market development
There is some funding that Mozambique has secured from word bank and others development of the Temane Regional Electricity Project (TREP), has been secured.Such funding for power developments is what is needed here for long-term solutions
“The total funding facility of nearly $543 million for the transmission line and related substations (the Temane Transmission Project), includes a $300 million grant from the World Bank; a $24 million grant from the Norwegian Trust Fund; a further $33 million grant provided by the African Development Bank; a $99.7 million lease and loan through the Islamic Development Bank; and a contribution from OFID of $36 million.
In addition, the total funding facility is expected to secure a $50 million loan from the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) in partnership with the European Union through its Infrastructure Investment Programme South Africa (IIPSA).”
Cost reflectivity at Zambias House Hold Incomes for power made available to address the tariff deficits is a gradual increment decision Such partnerships and help is needed as gradually the tariff deficit is addressed
Napyamo//
IF KAMBWILI WAS STILL IN GOVERNMENT HE WOULD HAVE BEEN SUPPORTING THE PROPOSED INCREASE OF ELECTRICITY TARIFFS. THE PROBLEM WITH US AFRICANS IS THAT WE ARE TOO GREED AND SELFISH, THIS HAS CONTRIBUTED TO OUR UNDER DEVELOPMENT FOR THE PAST HALF CENTURY AFRICAN COUNTRIES HAVE BEEN INDEPENDENT, AND THE WHITE MAN TAKES ADVANTAGE OF THIS SCENARIO BY GOING BACK TO USA, UK, GERMANY AND COMING BACK WITH “FRESH” IDEAS FOR AFRICAN “DEVELOPMENT”. UNLESS SOMEBODY CAN TELL ME THAT WHEN ZAMBIANS ARE IN GOVERNMENT THEY FAIL TO SEE REALITY UNTIL THEY ARE OUT OF GOVERNMENT, I FIND IT DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND AFRICAN WAY OF THINKING. DURING THE PAST TWO WEEKS ALMOST EVERY GOVERNMENT MINSTER HAS BEEN SINGING ABOUT REDUCTION OF MEALIE MEAL PRICES, BLAMING IT ON STRUGGLING MILLERS, AND YET WE ALL KNOW COST…
Zambia has many water bodies that could have been utilized had someone had a proper vision of further developing this country. You have allowed Zesco too much monopolistic power such that it is hard for anyone to invest in power generating activities in Zambia. How many hydro stations could have been built had government taken advantage of our water resources and invested money in ensuring that one of the basic needs that helps in production such as electricity is adequately addressed. Of course hydro is not the only power generating means but talks of nuclear power is way beyond Zambia at this point in time. Back government please next time learn to prioritize your projects well if Zambia has to really develop because all this time we have not even a dent in addressing the challenges…
Some people think that HH will also prevent natural disasters from occurring in Zambia
KIKIKIKIK hahahahah that’s a good point though.
I think MANGA should lead the energy transition and support the energy sector minister and our utility The utility is positioning itself to be a leader in Power trading and at the center of that is the energy transition it has to adapt to match those investments required most in being a smart utility mainly in flexible means of energy delivery including DSM and energy storage and manage the intermittent of supply Security of supply is the issue caused by the water levels in the Kariba We know that Our utility operational model of Generate, Transmit and Distribute of electricity has an inherent risk which should be managed to ensure that return on investments you want but naturally Investors in…
in energy are looking to long-term performance and returns Power sectors and markets in renewable contracts beyond short term supply and risks are becoming more
and more attractive There is involvements of both the utilities and customers and investors investments are no longer being driven by regulated utilities like Zesco in terms of power infrastructure Technology and costs of electricity are falling as DER increase and so self-generation by residential customers our utility must never be left stranded as the transition happens gradually with those reverse power tariff increments being proposed that have a long-term effect of reducing the customer base as customers seek cheaper making Zesco…
“”rather”” as customers seek cheaper power making Zesco assets in GT TT and DS stranded assets with costs to maintain There is need therefore for our utility to continue with innovations ideas to lead the customers in pricing and technologies In its current strategy to be a hub for Power trading it must be seen to be doing this investing in new technologies and increasing to maximize o its diverse portfolio There must be a continues assessments of its assets in generation to ensure resilience in climate and other with emphasis in building solidness,agility and most of it flexibility in supply of power It has to work out methods of deploying renewable energy to its clients quickly to ensure demand…
It has to work out methods of deploying renewable energy to its clients quickly to ensure demand side power is managed and often the cost in those investments could save the amount of importation and tariff decision which is the worst decision to increase tariffs and fell to read the energy transition and economic outlooks 2019 impacting
Napyamo will just read and watch//
“Meanwhile, Minister of Energy Mathew Nkhuwa said the government is in the process of engaging Mozambique on the possibility of importing power from that country.”
No problem Hon Nkhuwa, Mozambique is looking for a market but first they want their $500million nkongole by Zescolo. Even the money to Escom for imports must be paid upfront.
Importing power from Mozambique’s cabora bassa aches me no good . What makes it different from the kariba when both are on the same water depleted river?