Mukupa Writes

  By Linda Mupemo President Hakainde Hichilema delivers a keynote speech during the commissioning of the Chisamba solar power plant - Picture courtesy of his Facebook page Republican President Hakainde Hichilema says the Zambia-China Cooperation has played a vital role in revolutionising the energy sector in the country.    Mr. Hichilema noted that the partnership spanning 60 years was instrumental in implementing the 100-megawatt Chisamba solar power project in Chisamba district in Central Province.   ZANIS reports that the Head of State said this during the commissioning of the US$ 100 million solar energy project which has been implemented by Zambia’s Kariba North Bank Extension Power Corporation in collaboration with the People’s Republic of China’s PowerChina. Ariel view of the Chisamba solar power plant Mr. Hichilema thanked PowerChina for its contribution to constructing Zambia’s largest solar photovoltaic plant, adding that the Chisamba solar powe...

By Linda Mupemo  Bifacial solar panels have been delivered on site  The rising population in Zambia has subsequently led to an increase in the demand for resources such as energy.  According to the 2022 National Census of Population and Housing, Zambia's population stands at 19, 693, 423 and only a proportion of 34 percent of the population has access to electricity as indicated by the Ministry of Energy.  A report by the Ministry of Energy further indicates that the country's installed power generation capacity comprises 83 percent of hydro, 9 percent of coal, 5 percent of heavy fuel and 3 percent of solar.  Suffice to say the overdependence on hydroelectricity for power generation has plunged Zambia into an energy crisis owing to reduced water levels occasioned by an El Niño induced drought the country experienced in the 2023/2024 rainy season.  In a statement recently released to the media, Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) Limited Spokespers...

By Linda Mupemo Some grass thatched houses connected to Mpanta solar mini  grid - Picture by Linda Mupemo     As the sun kisses the horizon giving birth to dawn, Damiano Bupe emerges in his boat on the shore of Chibesa -Wa- Mpanta.    Chibesa-Wa-Mpanta is at the furthest end of Mpanta village, a point where Lake Bangweulu tilts and drains into a channel later called Luapula River. The village is in Samfya District in Luapula Province, located 50 kilometers away from the Central Business District.    Going by the quantity of fish Mr. Bupe catches, the night was gracious to him.    His harvest is so evident to the eager fish traders who unreservedly swam around him with intent to get the freshest fish for sale.     At home, Mr. Bupe has ice blocks in a deep freezer which he later sells to his out of town customers to enable them keep the commodity fresh as they journey back to their destination.   This...

 By Linda Mupemo Inverters at Mpanta solar power plant Luapula Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Emmanuel Munsanje has commended the Rural Electrification Authority (REA) for incorporating renewable energy sources into its electrification projects.    Mr. Munsanje cited the 60 Kilowatt Mpanta Solar Mini Grid project in Samfya District which is providing electricity to the community as a game changer in the energy sector.    ZANIS reports that Mr. Munsanje said green and clean energy projects are welcome especially as the world strives to reduce carbon emissions.      Mr. Munsanje has since called on government to allocate more funds to renewable energy projects in a bid to increase access to electricity in an environmentally friendly manner.      "The Mpanta solar plant is a progressive project. We need more of such sustainable developmental projects, projects which neither harm the environment nor ...