THE EDITORIAL NEWS

SOLAR ENERGY REMAINS FEASIBLE FOR  ZAMBIA  ...as the country stands to benefit about $2.5 billion from the 800MW solar energy plant -Renewable Energy  Expert. Prof. Prem Jain, expert in renewable energy and environment, also a lecturer at UNZA By Alfonso Kasongo Solar energy remains key and feasible for drought prone Zambia as the hydro-power dependent southern African nation stands to earn an estimated $2.5 billion in 25 years through the successful installation of the 800MW solar power plant compared to coal energy, a renewable energy and environmental expert has revealed. Professor Prem Jain, an expert in renewable energy and environment, also a lecturer at the University of Zambia in his research, says Zambia can absorb more than 800MW of solar power on her national grid, however, warning that the continued over use of the Kariba dam, country's biggest hydro power generation vessel makes the country more vulnerable to climate shocks. Speaking during a science cafe on ...

PROLONGED LOADSHEDDING REDUCES UPTAKE OF FISH,CHICKEN By Alfonso  Kasongo Zambia, like many other countries in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, experienced the El-nino weather conditions, causing a drought which has triggered  power deficit challenges with reciprocal effects on the economy. The drought situation country has sharply reduced country's hydro-power generation capacity of about 3,356.6 MW to an estimated 750 MW deficit resulting in 23 hour power outrage-unprecedented load management in the country's history. Fisho Mwale ,a titan of Zambian business sector with ineradicable and illustrious career spanning for over four decades says the impact of prolonged load-shedding has negatively impacted many businesses,including  those dealing in high perishables products. Mr Mwale who is founder and chairman for Yalelo Fish Company,adds that fish business like  any other in food production ,processing and distribution has not been spared fro...

  DSaT,ZaAS COLLABORATE TO HOST FIRST EVER SCIENCE CAFE ON FEASIBILITY OF SOLAR ENERGY picture used for illustration By Alfonso Kasongo Dziwa Science and Technology Trust -DSaT , a non government organisation promoting science communication and advancement of science and technological based solutions to country's socio-economic challenges has partnered with the Zambia Academy of Scientists to host first ever science cafe on feasibility of solar energy with the aim to encourage a broader comprehension of renewable energy across various stakeholders in Zambia. The science cafe ,scheduled for Wednesday,October,16, 2024 in Lusaka, will also place emphasis on bridging the gap between scientific understanding and practical application. Currently,Zambia is grappling with power deficit challenges with reciprocal effects on the economy. The country has an installed hydropower generation capacity of about 3,356.6 MW, which has depleted rapidly due to El Nino factors, creating an estimat...

RECENT DROUGHT TO TRIGGER SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN MALNUTRITION RATES IN ZAMBIA  ...as nearly 52,000 children,estimated 112,000 women to be affected next year.   Rice fields in the Zambezi  flood plains of Western province showing dryness due drought  drought (pic courtesy of Radio Liseli) By Alfonso Kasongo  Zambia, like many other countries in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, experienced the El-nino weather conditions, causing drought which triggered about 100 percent crop failure in 84 of 116 districts in the country. However, the recent drought is likely to worsen the malnutrition levels in the country with nearly 52,000 children under the age of five in four provinces at risk of developing wasting, a form of lethal malnutrition-next year if no preventive measures are employed, a survey by Zambia’s National Food and Nutrition Commission (NFNC) has revealed. Another 276,000 children of  the same age group will have moderate w...

  LOCAL SUBSCRIPTION IN GREEN BONDS LOW ...only 10% local firms fully subscribed to the first CEC $54 million tranche. By Alfonso Kasongo  As Copperbelt Energy  Corporation Company strives to actualize its green energy generation ambitions through Zambia’s firstever Green Bond, local subscription to the $200 million green loan on the  capital market continues to be low. Currently Zambia,is grappling with power deficit challenges from her hydropower dependant sources. The country has an installed hydro power generation capacity of about 3,356.6 MW-now depleting rapidly by El Nino factors and created an estimated 750MW deficit.  Unless imports coupled with off-grid power supplement, the country may face daunting challenges to supply the mine’s 55 percent demand with 45 % percent shared by other end-users-many now affected by the over 12-hour power outage. In effort to supplement to hydropower, On December, 5th 2023, CEC announced the registration of its green...

  ZAAB QUESTIONS  GOVERNMENT'S SILENCE ON PBR BILL  By Alfonso Kasongo  A collaborative network of concerned citizens, civil society groups, faith and farmer-based organisations, working together to strengthen the growing movement for agroecology and food sovereignty has questioned government's failure to avail the proposed new Plant Breeders Rights (PBR) Bill.  Zambia Alliance for Agroecology and Biodiversity (ZAAB) maintains that controversial Bill is inappropriate for the country and must not be enacted as it aligns the country to the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) 1991 standards. The Consortium fears that once proposed PBR Bill is enacted in its current form, the new seed law may trigger price increase and corporate capture of seeds, as well as  country's food system.  The Alliance argues that government through the Seed Control  Certification Institute SCCI  has never presented the actual changes...