US envoy tips Zambia to be major exporter of power

United States Ambassador to Zambia Eric Schultz says Zambia has great potential to be a major exporter of electricity on the continent and the World.

And the US Government has today signed a 1.5 million United States dollars energy grant through the United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) with two Zambian energy companies.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, Mr. Schultz noted the need to start building Geothermal and Solar energy plants around the country that will boost the provision of energy.

He has also stressed the need for government to work on ensuring that more people are connected to the national electricity grid.

Mr Schultz has however, noted that Zambia does not have the capacity to boost the energy sector on its own therefore the need to engage and bring on board the private sector.

Speaking at the same signing ceremony, Energy Minister David Mabumba said the grant will go a long way in helping government achieve its diversification agenda.

Mr Mabumba has since commended the United States Government for the gesture, stating that government has no financing to diversify into solar energy, but can do it with support from the international community and private sector.

And USTDA Sub-Saharan Africa country Manager, Shanon Roe explained that the grant was being signed with Kalahari Geo-energy Limited a Zambian geothermal company for a feasibility study supporting a 10-20 Megawatt geothermal power plant.

Ms Roe adds that part of the grant was being signed with Standard Micro Grid Initiatives Limited, another Zambian mini-grid development company which will provide a feasibility study to support the deployment of 150 containerized micro grid units using U.S technologies.