Zambia has advanced plans to upgrade the Copperbelt University – CBU, the University of Zambia – UNZA and Northern Technical College – NORTEC in order to offer training in Nuclear Science.
Energy Minister Mathew Nkhuwa stated that this follows an assessment that was carried out to ascertain the readiness of the country in introducing nuclear energy. He added that the nuclear programme will see Zambian Students being trained before the country can decide to put up a nuclear plant .
Nkhuwa added that Zambia had invested in renewable energy projects such as solar, wind and hydro.
The Energy Minister further mentioned that Zambia’s plans to diversify power generation were advanced and that the nuclear project implementation had made headway’s. Government is finalizing a legislation that will allow the private sector to participate in off grid solutions by powering entities with renewable energy.
In a statement made available to the Zambian Business Times – ZBT by press secretary Inutu Mwanza, Nkhuwa said Zambia achieved one of the best tariffs in Africa of 6 cents per kilo watts per hour from the Ngonye and Bangweulu projects, stating that this was achieved with the technical help from Renewable Energy for Africa Solutions.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Ethiopia Investment Conference organized by Renewable Energy for Africa Solutions, Energy Minister Matthews Nkhuwa said the documentation for the new legislation is already with the Ministry of Justice and government is hopeful that it could be tabled in parliament soon.
He said Zambia has an opportunity to demonstrate that generating power by the private sector can be done at low tariffs. This in effect will lift a lid on the monopoly that Zesco currently enjoys through off grid solutions.
