ZACA proposes construction of Coal Power Station

The Zambia Consumers Association (ZACA) has advised Government to constitute a team of experts to undertake a feasibility study on the construction of a Coal Power station to compliment the existing Hydro-Power stations in the country.

ZACA Information and Publicity Secretary Juba Sakala has told QFM News that government should consider sending a team of experts to South Africa’s Mpumalanga province where a Coal power station exists and learn how to set up a similar facility.

Mr. Sakala suggests that the team should comprise technocrats from the Engineering Institute of Zambia (EIZ), Copperbelt University (CBU), University of Zambia (UNZA), Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) and ZESCO.

He says his organization is aware that there is a coal power plant that will be opened soon in Sinazongwe but notes that the Maamba Collieries coal power plant can only produce 300mega watts.

Mr Sakala notes that this is not enough considering the increased demand for electricity in the country in view of the massive load shedding being experienced.

And the consumer body has encouraged government to reduce tax on gas stoves and fridges to make them affordable to consumers in view of the power deficit in the country which has resulted in increased load shedding.

And Land Activist Charles Kasonso has encouraged government to devise mechanisms that will see to it that land is protected from deforestation in view of the increased demand for charcoal following the massive load shedding being experienced in the country.

Mr. Kasonso has told QFM News in a separate interview that most consumers are using charcoal which has resulted in the increased rate of deforestation which might later affect the rainfall pattern in the country.