Zambia embarks on plan on electricity coverage expansion

Mar 28, 2007 - Xinhua

The Zambian government is working on a Rural Electrification Master Plan at a cost of 500 million U. S. dollars to cover the period from the year 2008 to 2030, state- owned Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) reported Wednesday

"Among the objectives of the plan, it is intended that by 2030 all public institutions, schools, rural health centers should have access to electricity," Energy and Water Development Minister Felix Mutati was quoted by the ZANIS as saying when he addressed the parliament.

Mutati said, in order to raise money, his ministry was working on an energy syndication plan through which various financiers including the government will make resources available to implement the master plan.

The minister further noted that through the energy syndication plan, the Zambian government would seek funds to support Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation so that the power utility was able to spread the connection fee over a long period by integrating the cost into tariff.

Currently, only 3 percent of the rural population in the country have access to electricity, according to Mutati.

About 1,118 rural growth centers have been identified in all districts throughout the country through which the plan would be implemented, he added.