By Staff Writer
France’s biggest renewable energy solution company has started developing a renewable energy plant project, combining wind and solar, in Zambia which will help address the challenge of electricity deficit.
Total Eren has secured a long term strategic partnership with FQM in Zambia to provide renewable energy not only to the mining firm but also to supplement the general populace.
The pronouncement was made when Green Economy and Environment Minister Collins Njovu and the staff at the Zambian mission in Paris met with the team from Total Eren to explore investment opportunities in Zambia.
Total Eren vice president for Business Development in Africa Christophe Fleurence said the project whose development has started will be set up at a cost of 500 million United States dollars and will produce 400 megawatts of renewable energy.
He said despite the project being targeted at FQM, the country will greatly benefit because the company will generate excess renewable energy which will be channeled to ZESCO’s network and the power utility will be paid for utilizing their network.
Mr Fleurence also said that the project is also expected to provide technical benefits to the country’s grid as it will reduce network losses by adding generation close to consumption.
And Mr Nzovu said Zambia was looking for such a type of investment which aims at mitigating the effects of climate change while greening the economy.
Mr Nzovu urged Total Eren to take advantage of the huge energy deficit in the SADC region to expand its operations and strategically partner with the small medium enterprises to create jobs for the local people.
The Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs in Paris had organised a speed dating meeting with the Movement of French Enterprises (MEDEF international) to explore possible areas of investment in Zambia.
The minister also held discussions with three other companies interested in doing business in Zambia, namely WITI technologies , Sagemcom and Seed stars.
Earlier MEDEF international Chief executive officer Phillipe Gautier said the organization is interested to work more closely with Zambia having facilitated the establishment of Engie’s business and called on the private sector to come on board to realise the transition into renewable energy.
This is contained in a statement issued by Naomi Mweemba First Secretary Press Zambian Embassy Paris.
