‘MAKE ALTERNATIVE ENERGY AFFORDABLE’

By Arnel Chitundu

 Energy Expert Boniface Zulu says despite tax exemptions, the upfront cost of solar panels and clean cooking technology is beyond the reach of many Zambians.

In an interview, Mr. Zulu said the high initial cost of technology remained a barrier for many ordinary Zambians.

He said the government had taken a commendable step by eliminating taxes on solar products to make alternative energy sources more accessible; he however proposed a multifaceted approach to further reduce costs and increase adoption rates.

“Innovative financing models, such as the pay-as-you-go systems, can bridge this gap; these models allow users to pay for energy incrementally, which aligns better with the financial capabilities of low-income households”, Engineer Zulu said.

He said Zambia could look to countries like Kenya and Ghana, which had made significant strides in clean energy adoption.

He explained that Kenya’s Lighting Africa program and Ghana’s Energy Development and Access Project (GEDAP), had successfully increased access to renewable energy, through off-grid solar services and products, with a focus on affordability and inclusivity.

 He stated that the widespread adoption of solar technology could mitigate Zambia’s load shedding woes, adding that decentralized solar power reduced reliance on the National Grid and provided a more stable and sustainable energy supply.

“This is not just a theoretical solution, projects like the 60kW solar mini-grid in Mpanta, have already demonstrated success in rural electrification.

He said only 4% of rural Zambians had access to clean energy for cooking, stating that to address that, the government could implement subsidy programs and community-based projects to make clean cooking methods more affordable.

He added that establishing local manufacturing for clean cookstoves could reduce costs and create jobs.

Mr. Zulu said to make alternative energy a cornerstone of Zambia’s energy sector, the government needed to adopt a holistic approach that included innovative financing, subsidies, community engagement, and learning from successful models in other African countries.

“Nations like South Africa and Egypt have shown that with the right policies and investments, integrating clean energy into the economy was achievable, and Zambia could follow suit, leveraging its abundant solar potential to empower its citizens and pave the way for a sustainable energy future.