• Electricity usage is increasing especially in the mining industry.
• The country still needs to develop electricity capacity to be able to meet domestic and export demand.
• Government should put in place incentives which can encourage the private sector to invest in the energy sector.

An Energy Expert has urged government to put in place measures that will encourage the private sector to invest in the country’s energy sector.
Yotam Mtayachalo told Money FM News in an interview that it is regrettable that the country still needs to develop electricity capacity to be able to meet domestic and export demand.
He noted that electricity usage is increasing especially in the mining industry and other economic sectors, and it is projected that in the next few years from now, power demand will rise in Zambia and beyond.
“It is very regrettable that as a country, we still need to develop electricity capacity to level where by we are able to meet domestic and export demand. Electricity usage is increasing especially in the mining industry and other economic sectors. The projection is that in the next few years from now, the demand for electricity not only in Zambia but the entire region is going to rise. So it is important that Zambia is properly positioned.”
“It’s important that government should put in place incentives which can encourage the private sector to invest in the energy sector,” Mr. Mtayachalo stated.
And Mr. Mtayachalo thanked the German Government for giving Zambia a grant of K750 million for development of projects in the water and energy sectors, as it will help increase power generation in the country.
“That is a move in the right direction. It will go a long way in trying to increase our power generation in this country. I feel that such investments are welcome and must be encouraged, and the government must ensure that it continues to invest in the energy sector alongside the private sector. I think it is a good move and we want to thank the German government for this support,” he stated.
Recently, German Development Bank (KfW) signed four grant-finance agreements with the Zambian government amounting to K750 million aimed at supporting the country’s energy and water sectors in Eastern and Southern provinces.