An energy expert says calls by government for private player participation in the energy sector must be supported by all well-meaning Zambians.
Yotam Mtayachalo told Money FM News in an interview that the adoption of the National Energy Policy of 2019, Electricity Act Number 11 of 2019 and Energy Regulation Act number 12 of 2019 which aim to promote private player participation in the sector is a welcome move.
Mr. Mtayachalo observed that having many players in the sector will make ZESCO and other companies to ensure they provide quality services to customers because monopolies tend to relax in terms of service delivery.
“For any country to develop we need foreign investment so if there are amendments to the Act to promote private player participation in the Energy Sector, I think it is a welcome move.”
“Monopolies tend to relax in terms of service delivery, so once we have so many players in the energy sector it will make Zesco and other companies to pull up their socks and ensure that they provide quality services to customers,” Mr. Mtayachalo said.
He hoped a number of private companies will come on board to participate stating that the Electricity Act was amended in 1995 to allow for private participation in the electricity sub-sector.
Meanwhile, Mr. Mtayachalo said energy plays a very critical role in the economic development of any country, hence government’s decision to declare transmission lines as a common carrier is in the right direction.
“I know some people are accusing the government that maybe why they have made transmission lines as common carrier is because of the issue of Copperbelt Energy Corporation, but I think Energy plays a very critical role in the economic development of any country, so whatever government has done I think is in the right direction, and I think must be supported,” he stated.
Following the adoption of the National Energy Policy of 2019, Electricity Act Number 11 of 2019 and Energy Regulation Act Number 12 of 2019, all electricity transmission and distribution lines in Zambia irrespective of ownership are now common carriers.
And Energy Minister Mathew Nkhuwa said the measure aims to liberalize the electricity sector to make it more competitive.
He said the adoption of the policy and accompanying legal instruments will help to attract strategically aligned partners to the country’s electricity sector to encourage participation of the private sector.