An investor specialised in energy data solutions and grid management software in Africa has committed to set up and operationalize a smart billing and metering project in Zambia at a cost of 5 million United States Dollars.
Beacon Power Services (BPS) Chief Executive Officer Bim Adisa said his company is ready to invest in the energy sector and has asked ZESCO to identify the region where they would execute the project.
Speaking during a meeting held at the Zambian Embassy in Paris with Counsellor Chrissy Hilweele in the company of First Secretary Economic and Trade Chibwe Chisala, Mr Adisa said once the project is implemented, it will create jobs for the local people and add value to the power utility.
“Our pitch to ZESCO is that give us a region we will invest, we will create local jobs and value, it’s our own risk, if we don’t create value then we will go away,”Mr Adisa explained
Mr Adisa who is yet again scheduled to visit Zambia in July has asked the Mission to arrange meetings with key stakeholders to present their investment pitch after conducting a fact-finding mission in May.
“For us the opportunity we are looking for with ZESCO is to meet up with key stakeholders, the Managing Director, the board, the Ministry so that we make progress with what we are trying to do, it’s about works and not mere talks,” he added
Mr Adisa further said that his company is ready to quickly deploy and operationalise the pilot project in three months once all the parameters are met.
He explained that the Electricity Company of Ghana is making 45 million dollars monthly revenue after successfully implementing their project in June 2022 with an initial investment of 3 million United States Dollars and so far, created 1,184 jobs for the local people.
And company board member Maxime Bouan said once the project is set up, it will catalyse further investment of improving energy efficiency and increasing the amount of electricity for export.
Meanwhile, Mr Hilweele said the commitment by BPS to invest in the energy sector has come at a right time when ZESCO is making strides in making the firm viable.
Mr Hilweele assured the investors of the Mission’s support and lauded BPS for such a project which will increase revenue for ZESCO and reduce errors in electricity distribution systems.
This is contained in a statement issued by Naomi Mweemba First Secretary Press Embassy of Zambia Paris.
