The 100 megawatts (MW) solar power project that was earmarked for development in the western province has stalled. The solar power project was to be implemented via a joint venture between Toyota Tusho of Japan and Elsewedy Electric of Egypt with funding from Japan.
Speaking during an exclusive interview with Zambian Business Times – ZBT, Elsewedy Country Manager Mohammad Hassan stated that Elsewedy’s joint project with Toyota Tusho is to generate a total of 100 megawatts in western province, that is 50 megawatts in Sesheke, and 50 megawatts in Mongu. He however stated that because of the covid 19 pandemic, the project has stalled.
When ZBT reached out to Toyota Tusho to independently give their side of the story on the stalled solar power project, the Japanese based conglomerate declined to comment, neither could their local representative, who stated that he is not authorized to comment on this solar deal.
“Elsewedy and Toyota Tusho have worked on many projects together in Countries like Egypt, Nigeria, Iraq and Lebanon. We engaged local contractors to do a soil investigation in Sesheke and Mongu where the solar panels will be placed. The project is financed by the bank of Japan with very low interest from the government,” Hammad told ZBT.
He also disclosed that the duration of the project has been affected and will be rescheduled because of the pandemic, it might go longer than initially planned. “As we agreed with the government last year in August 2019, commencement of the project was December 2019 to April 2021. But because of the corona virus, it might go further than that”, he said.
Elsewedy Electric in partnership with the Japanese conglomerate, Toyota Tusho Corporation, sign a memorandum of understanding with the Zambian Ministry of Energy to build two solar photovoltaic projects of with total capacity of 100 megawatts with battery storage system.
The signing ceremony took place in Yokohama – Japan along the “TICAD7” (The Seventh Tokyo International Conference on African Development). The project was agreed to be financed by JBIC – Japan Bank of International Cooperation.
The signing Ceremony has been witnessed by President Edgar Lungu, Zambia’s foreign affairs minister Joseph Malanji, Egyptian Minister of Investment and International Cooperation Sahar Nasr, Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Yoshihiro Seki and Ahmed Elsewedy CEO Elsewedy Electric group.
On the other hand, Elsewedy electric Zambia country manager stated that his company is currently implementing a solar power project that is envisaged to provide electricity in rural areas. Electricity provision has been a far cry for most people living outside the major cities of Zambia.
He told ZBT that they are working in corroboration with ZESCO and that they enquired from the power utility which areas to place the containers. “Elsewedy has already invested over US$500 million to carry out various projects in Zambia”, he said.
“We agreed with the government to make 30 “Sun Square’s” in the country. One in Luangwa, the other in Kachula and a third one in Kachumini and we are now going to Chipata, in the Eastern province.
The sun square container is one third (1/3) equipment which contains among others solar converters and cables etc and the other two thirds (2/3) of the container is empty and used for provision of various services. The Sun Square is placed in the middle of the village and the people will be able to rent space in the container”, he said.
Hassan said that once this container is activated, the rural areas will now be able to do business. Some can own Barber shops, some can open restaurants. Others rent space to place a TV so people can watch. These containers will provide services that each particular area needs like One container, which was even converted into a clinic.
