Energy Expert Boniface Zulu says there is need for Zambia to invest heavily in new energy in order for the country to take its rightful place in the global energy market.
Zulu said the race to produce clean energy has never been greater than today as most regions, nations and private companies are putting resources together to maximize production of these systems.
According to information made available to the Zambian Business Times-ZBT, Zulu said Zambia has not seized the opportunity fully to invest in alternative energy sources seeing that energy demand is huge and far outweighs production, which is currently 3800 megawatts and is proved to only cater for 31% of the general population.
“Pre-feasibility studies to build solar factories in strategic points around the country will see move faster than lightening into a new future that has never been seen before opening doors to industrialization, electric mobility, cultural change and economic prosperity”, he said.
He explained that the main goal to build such facilities is to reduce costs on importation of solar panels that will be used to build large state-owned power plants as well as provide the public with a cheaper source of generating energy within the comfort of their homes.
Zulu mentioned that the stipulated ideas need a lot of money that can be outsourced from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the African Development Bank and the U.S government partnership power Africa.
The Expert added that the initial project studies will cost an estimated $1.8 million with the help of financial aid, it will be easy to estimate the initial amount needed to bring a project of such magnitude to life.
He noted that the tasks ahead are not easy but planning has to take place immediately as the raw materials needed for the production line of these systems are widely available in Zambia.
