Zambia to explore nuclear power generation

Chalwe LombeGovernment says it has commenced discussions on a nuclear energy development programme that will result in generation of about two Giga Watts of electricity.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary for International Relations and Cooperation, Chalwe Lombe says the programme will take approximately 15 years.

Speaking when he held talks with Toshiba General Manager for Government and External Relations, Yoshita Yamaguchi in Kawasaki, Japan today, Mr Lombe says government is already in consultations with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which is the world’s centre for cooperation in the nuclear field.

He says the proposed nuclear programme is among many projects aimed at diversifying and broadening the energy generation sector.

Mr Lombe says Zambia is positioning herself to become the energy power house of Southern Africa owing to the huge potential in Hydro, Nuclear, Solar, and Geothermal power generation.

He has encouraged Toshiba and other Japanese firms to invest in various areas of the energy sector because there is great investment potential coupled with an advantageous geo-political position which provides access to markets in the Southern and East African regions.

And Dr. Yamaguchi says Toshiba will soon invest in Zambia’s energy sector once the feasibility study on geothermal is concluded.

He says his company has been in talks with the Zambian Embassy in Japan over the possibility of establishing a geothermal power plant in Zambia.

Dr. Yamaguchi says Toshiba is a very experienced company and number one in the world when it comes to establishing geothermal power plants.

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