The Ministry of Energy says Zambia is lagging behind in achieving its medium and long term national electrification targets of 91 percent for urban and 51 percent for rural areas by 2030.
Energy Minister Matthew Nkhuwa says this is as seen in the Central Statistical Office (CSO) living conditions survey report of 2015 which says Zambia’s National Electrification rate stands at 31.4 percent.
He says 67.7 percent of which is urban access with 4.4 percent access for grid connections and 4.6 percent for standalone systems in rural areas.
Mr. Nkhuwa says this means that the contribution of renewable energy sources to the total energy mix in the country is only about one percent.
The Minister was speaking when he officially opened the Renewable Energy Solutions RES4Africa program launch on enhancing the renewable energy transition in Zambia in Lusaka today.
Speaking at the same event, Agriculture Minister Michael Katambo says increased Agricultural production can only be attained of the energy requirements in the sector are met.
He says increased energy is a must in Agriculture because it is mostly practiced in rural areas where electricity is not always available.
Mr. Katambo has also disclosed that Zambia has 48 percent potential Arable land, 15 percent of which is under cultivation and an estimated 7.8 percent is under crop production.