CHINA TO HELP ZAMBIA BECOME NET EXPORTER OF ELECTRICITY
By Chileshe Mwango/Leah Ngoma
Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Han Jing says Zambia and China will not only work towards ending the current-load shedding but turn the country into a net exporter of electricity
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Addressing the media in Lusaka today, Mr Han said in view of Zambia’s current energy deficit, the Chinese Embassy in Zambia is urging more Chinese businesses, especially the largest power suppliers in China to actively engage Zambian partners in solar energy and water resources management.
He says some of the strategies being explored by the two countries include the channeling of fresh water from Luapula River to the Kafue River to make full use of existing hydroelectricity facilities which will also result in increased power production, storage and distribution.
Meanwhile, Mr Han has disclosed that China will give duty free treatment to 100% of the tariff lines of products from Zambia to turn China’s big market into a big opportunity from major infrastructure construction to green energy transition and from agriculture modernization to industrial expansion.
He also says over the next three years, China will deliver what it is calling the 1000 small and beautiful projects, build 100 demonstration villages for poverty reduction through agricultural development and that 60,000 training opportunities will be provided to Africans mainly women and youths.
Meanwhile, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Zambia-CCCZ is optimistic that President Hakainde Hichilema`s recent visit to china will yield fruitful outcomes for the country’s economic development.
In a statement, Chamber president li tie says the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Zambia will continue to make efforts to promote investment and trade between China and Zambia and introduce Zambia’s investment environment to more Chinese enterprises.
PHOENIX NEWS
After the pronouncements and policy objectives by the Chinese, will Zambia maintain its current foreign policy towards China and Chinese investment in Zambia? If there is policy shift along the way in contradiction to these economic pronouncements, projects being exploited for implementation will fail. There is currently US policy being pursued by Zambia and where these two powers policy objectives can crash, the much talked about solar energy and water energy management may fail to make progress.
You must have been born in 1860 or there about, when there were lines between ; Socialism & Capitalism. And to disappoint you further – do you know that America has one policy with China itself? And another with England, another with Russsia, and another with Nigeria & another with Zambia? Can u smell the coffee?
Do a proper comprehensive study on this suggested detour of the Luapula River, the hydrology of the Luapula basin , effect on down stream water bodies like the Lake Mweru. Plant and animal life . The Effects on Ecology and Eco Systems need to be looked at.
Human Economic activity such Fishing, transportation etc and how these will be affected needs to be thoroughly studied. River Luapula is a shared river, and from lake Mweru it becomes Luavu ( DRC) and later on a tributary of Lualaba River in the DRC…this aspect needs to be incorporated in the plans to avoid conflicts.
Risk substitution shouldn’t lead to an introduction of other risks..
There’s need to look at the volumes Of water to come from Luapula River, and when these are likely to have an impact on Power Generation at either Kafue Gorge or Kariba Dam, and the quantification of this .
My take on this is that it should be a temporal measure. A more permanent solution is exploring the Topology in the northern part of Zambia, and determining the feasibility of setting up power station whether Run of River ( ROR) or Reservoir based Hydro Power in these areas.
It is gigantic project to be undertaken as such I conquer with hallucination that first and foremost a thorough study must be conducted to understand the benefits and disadvantages of this project. Local communities should be encouraged to participate in this study.
The finds must be made available to the general public.
How is the project going to be paid and what will be the total cost and impact on Zambia and the future generations to come .
Will the project channelled to the mining activities in Kafue game park to benefit the investors and not the Zambian people? How will the people of Luapula be affected or rewarded from this gigantic project/investment. How are Chambeshi river be affected and the entire Ecosystem in the northern and part of Muchinga provinces?
So u mean to say that ,in the past 64years we ve been independent, no study of such was done here? Of this regard? If not, then what did you guys waste your parents money for to go to UNZA, CBU or Hone? Very useless and stupid chaps ayi
This looks like an impulsive attempt to rectify power deficit before 2026 as USA and its IMF can’t deliver that. How much is the loan, and what are the long term negative effects before we celebrate the positive. IMF is watching and soon they will apply breaks on debt restructuring.
Just build more and increase the capacity of existing power stations in Northen and Luapula provinces.
It is that simple really.
The problem is that you luapula people are thieves and like vandalising things , it’s not the case in Southern. That’s the reason why Southern Province is dry always but a major producer of Cattle, Maize & Electricity. Couldn’t you for a single day ask yourself “why is that”?