By Helen Witti
PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema has called on the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) to consider carbon trading.
President Hichilema stated that the solar plant generates electricity without burning fossil fuels, resulting in zero greenhouse gas emissions, including carbon dioxide; as such, ZESCO can capitalise on this and participate in carbon sales.
He was speaking during the commissioning of the phase one 100 Mega Watts solar plant in Chief Chamuka’s chiefdom in Chisamba district of Central province.
The President also highlighted that the Chisamba solar plant will boost the agricultural activities, as it will aid with irrigation, and urged people of Chisamba and other districts in Central province to engage in production as well as venture into back yard gardening.
“The Chisamba solar plant is a significant step towards Zambia’s energy independence and economic growth with far- reaching benefits for the local community,” Mr Hichilema explained.
Meanwhile, Chief Chamuka of the Lenje people in Central province said, he has taken issues of climate change very seriously and wants his subjects to engage in carbon trading.
“I have been advising my subjects to stop indiscriminate cutting down of trees in order to preserve the forest and forest products, and also paid gratitude to government for this massive investment situated in my chiefdom” Chief Chamuka disclosed.
“1,300 jobs created with the coming in of this solar plant and explained that more jobs are under way,” The Chief revealed.
It is expected that 30,000 to 50,000 households are earmarked to benefit from the power generated from the solar plant.
Chief Chamuka added that his subjects have benefited from skills development and that there is local economic growth which has led to increased economic activities in the area.
“Government has earmarked to construct another 200 megawatt solar plant in Lifambula area in Central province,” he disclosed.
Meantime, Chisamba District Agricultural Coordinator Jacob Shawa has praised government for putting up this 100-megawatt Chisamba solar plant, as it is a game changer for the agriculture sector.
Mr Shawa said Chisamba district has numerous farmers growing wheat, which is often irrigated and such, this project will spur increase in hectares. –NAIS