CALLS FOR SOLAR ENERGY HEIGHTEN

By Arnel Chitundu

IT is possible for Power Utility Company ZESCO Limited, to invest into Solar Energy, as an alternative source of power, to help alleviate the current situation of load shedding that the country is facing, Energy Expert Boniface Zulu has said.

Speaking to the Scoop, Mr. Zulu said Investing in solar energy costs a lot of money which meant, ZESCO in turn would need to outsource funds in order to build such systems but the output would be beneficial.

“It looks easy, but there is a lot involved especially in terms of investment itself but considering our current situation, solar energy is a good alternative that would help balance the power crisis,” Mr. Zulu said.

He said it was an initiative that could be actualized in the shortest possible time. He added that solar energy was not a hard project, provided funds were available.

He explained that such systems could be put on line to alleviate the pain ordinary Zambians were faced with of long hours of load-shedding which affected their day to day operations.

He reiterated that it was possible for ZESCO to invest in solar energy to help cushion load-shedding, because the country risked facing load-shedding year in year out.

ZESCO Limited is still implementing load shedding as a necessary measure to address the current power deficit.

It stated continuation to refine its strategies diligently to effectively manage the power resources while meeting energy needs.

Meanwhile, load shedding remained approximately 8 hours, with some rotational adjustments in residential areas to ensure an equitable distribution of load shedding times among all customers.

As of 22 April 2024, industrial and farming areas maintained their current timings, allowing for consistency and planning in these critical sectors.

And according to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), an intergovernmental organization mandated to facilitate cooperation, advance knowledge and promote the adoption and sustainable use of renewable energy, Solar Power in 2020 was the cheapest electricity in history, solar energy is now the most affordable electricity source globally, surpassing coal and gas.