Govt develops rural electrification master plan.

Wed, 23 Nov 2016 13:21:51 +0000

GOVERNMENT has designed a rural electrification master plan aimed at increasing access to electricity by  the rural population, says Vice President Inonge Wina.

Ms Wina said the master plan was a guide which was expected to raise access to electricity by people in rural areas from the current 3.7 percent to 51 percent by 2030.

Ms Wina said this in Mwinilunga yesterday when she officiated at the ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of the K90 million Kasanjiku mini-hydro power station under the Rural Electrification Authority (REA).

She said the implementation of the rural electrification master plan is expected to cost about US$50 million every year.

Ms Wina said Government was committed to transforming the rural parts of Zambia because it believed that development started from such areas.

Speaking at the same function, Energy minister David Mabumba disclosed that Zambia was currently experiencing a power deficit of 835 Megawatts due to climate change.

Mr Mabumba said Government was now focusing on mini-hydro and solar electricity projects as part of diversification of power generation.

He said Government would continue rendering support to the REA to increase access to electricity by the rural population.

Meanwhile, Chief Ntambu of the Lunda-speaking people of Mwinilunga commended Government for taking such a crucial project to his chiefdom and assured that his people would jealously guard the facility.