Kasambo Urges ZESCO to Ease Power Purchase Agreements for Local Investors

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Mpongwe West Member of Parliament Emmanuel Kasambo has urged ZESCO to simplify access to power purchase agreements (PPAs), particularly for Zambian-owned businesses, to accelerate investment in electricity generation and support the country’s target of producing 10,000 megawatts under the Grow Zambia agenda.

Speaking during his maiden speech in Parliament, Mr Kasambo has warned that bureaucratic delays in approving power purchase agreements could discourage investors and undermine efforts to increase electricity generation.

He said reliable power was critical to achieving national production targets in agriculture, manufacturing, livestock and tourism, noting that irrigation, beef and sugar processing, and hotel operations all depended on adequate electricity supplies.

Mr Kasambo said ZESCO should make it easier for qualified local companies to secure PPAs, particularly those that had acquired land, obtained title deeds and conducted feasibility studies for electricity generation projects.

He has argued that such agreements would enable Zambian businesses to attract foreign investment and contribute to expanding the country’s power generation capacity.

The Member of Parliament has further cautioned against requirements for exceptionally large financial statements that could disadvantage local investors despite their progress in preparing viable projects.

While acknowledging the importance of foreign investment, Mr Kasambo has called on public institutions to create an enabling environment for Zambian entrepreneurs to participate meaningfully in the energy sector.

“We appreciate the investment coming from outside, but we are calling upon our institutions to support the local businesses,” he said.

He has maintained that supporting local investors and accelerating electricity generation would be essential to achieving the Grow Zambia agenda and ensuring that more citizens benefited from economic growth.

Ends

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