By JOHN SAKALA
Zambia’s High Commissioner to India Judith Kapijimpanga has invited solar companies in India to consider investing in Zambia where there is power deficit because India now has surplus solar energy.
“Zambia has made energy tariffs cost reflective in order to attract private sector investment in order to stabilise energy supply,” Ms Kapijimpanga said.
She said Zambia had a potential to generate 6000mw of electricity but was currently producing 2000mw thereby creating opportunities for investment in the 4000mw deficit.
She said this when she toured Goldi Solar Company in Surat City, in the Indian State of Gujarat, 2000km away from the Indian Capital New Delhi.
And Goldi Company Director Bharat Bhut said his company was interested in setting up a power plant in Zambia if Government could sign a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for a long time such as 25 years.
“I am impressed to note that Zambia has Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) to offer free support services in land acquisition, immigration, company registration and incentives among others,” Mr Bhut said.
He said a 50mw plant would be ideal as a trial using private capital.
Zambia High Commission recorded US$100m in the first half of the year 2019 from three companies that started operations among them Prasad Seeds, Vagmi Cottons and OM Rollers while total investments from India now stood at US$8b.
This was contained in a statement released by First Secretary Press and Tourism at the Zambian Mission in India Bangwe Naviley.
