The Policy Monitoring and Research Centre has stressed the need for government to improve the diversification of energy sources in the country.

In the latest briefing document made available to Money FM News, PMRC Executive Director Bernadette Zulu said there is also urgent need for government to speed up the development of power projects that are being developed in the country.
Mrs. Zulu said the Energy sector is critical as it inputs into all other sectors of the economy adding that economic expansion has led to an increase in demand for power and the demand has outweighed supply, hence affecting productivity.

“The other recommendation is that we need to embark on massive renewable energy sources such as solar farms, geothermal plants, mini hydro grids and wind farms among others,” Mrs. Zulu said.
She observed that the sector has been adversely affected by climate change especially in the second half of 2019 adding that this has widened the electricity deficit in the country, thereby negatively affecting business operations and communities due to increased hours of load shedding.

“For major energy intensive investments, there should be plans to allow them to also invest on energy sources so as to relieve strain on the national electricity grid,” she added.
She expressed optimism that once the projects that are in the pipeline are completed, they will collectively provide adequate power for the country and excess can be exported in the region.