Zambia to attain Energy Independence before 2030 – Mabumba

Energy Minister David Mabumba

Energy Minister David Mabumba says Zambia is likely to attain energy independence before 2030 when the country will be generating over 4, 100Mega Watts of power per day.

Delivering a ministerial statement in parliament on the electricity situation, Mr. Mabumba says the decision by government to promote cost reflective tariffs will spur investment in the energy sector.

He says this coupled with the current projects being undertaken by the government will result in the country having enough energy for domestic use as well as exports.

And Mr. Mabumba has emphasized that the decision by power utility Zesco to revert to eight hours of load shedding a day from four, is as a result of the reduced water levels at both Kariba and Kafue Dams.

Meanwhile, Mr. Mabumba says he has had a meeting with Mine owners to discuss the issue of them paying less for power as compared to the common Zambian citizen.

He says it is not fair and sustainable for the mines to continue buying power at a lesser price than a common Zambian citizen.

Mr. Mabumba says out of morality, the mining firms should consider engaging the government in revisiting the issue of them paying less for power.