The Ministry of Energy has noted that the Development of the energy sector especially in electricity production is crucial for the development of all economic sectors.
Permanent Secretary Brigadier General Emelda Chila says this following the launch of the Program Estimate on Increased access to Electricity and Renewable Energy Production (IAEREP) project in Lusaka today.
The project is funded by the European Union, providing Financing of about 1.7 million Euros from the 40m Euros financing agreement signed between Zambia and the EU in 2016 and will be implemented in a period of 3 years from July 2019 to June 2020.
Brigadier General Chola says resources to carry out the full implementation of the project are limited and has advised stakeholders to view the Program Estimate as a tool that will benefit the energy sector as a Whole and not specific institutions.
Speaking during the launch, European Union Delegation Head of cooperation Gianluca Azzoni says the EU is funding 50 percent of the project and the other 50 percent will be funded by the Private Sector.
Ambassador Azzoni says the program will create Human capital and Skills for the labor market in the Energy sector adding that he expects to see results of the project as soon as possible.
And National Authorising office of the European Development Fund Coordinator and Deputy National Authorising Officer Chasiya Kazembe says the three areas of focus under the project are Energy, Agriculture and Governance.
The Increased access to Electricity and Renewable Energy Production (IAEREP) project is a three-year long project to be undertaken in a period between July 2019 to June 2020 aimed at Scaling up Expertise and capacities across the country to develop renewable energy solutions, mainstream Energy efficiency and Raise the level of energy literacy of state and non-state actors and the general public about renewable energy and energy efficiency.