The European Union says it has earmarked 244 million Euros in grants to assist Zambia towards universal access to clean, reliable and affordable energy under the 2014-2020 multiannual framework.

Speaking during the launch of the national energy regulation policy European Union Ambassador to Zambia Jacek Jankowski said there is need to keep up with the deployment and diversification of renewable energy across Zambia and set up efforts to save energy to meet the current and future demand.”

Ambassador Jankowski said the European Union and its member state have made available range of instruments to the country in order to support the provision of about 500 megawatt of additional generation capacity based on renewable energy sources.
Speaking at the same event Minister of Energy Mathew Nkuwa said Energy is one of the driving forces behind the development of an economy as it cuts across the most economic and social activities.
Mr Nkhuwa said “every productive sector in the economy relies on the provision of energy.”

He said it is imperative that the sector is efficiently managed through a policy frame work that meets the ever rising challenges in the economy as a whole