The Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) has approved the construction of a mini liquified petroleum gas (LPG) plant in Lusaka’s Chongwe district.
ZEMA’s assessment committee approved the proposed construction of a US$883,330 filling plant by Oryx Energies Zambia Limited as the country moves to mitigate the electricity crisis and fast track the transition from hydroelectricity to alternative energy sources.
The environmental regulator’s approval comes just days after the Energy Regulation Board granted a permit to Maamba Collieries Limited to construct a 300MW coal-fired power plant, adding to its existing 300MW plant.
ZEMA acting Director General Karen Etondo, said the agency’s environmental assessment committee approved the LPG project, which is anticipated to assist with mitigating the energy crisis and promoting alternative energy sources.
She added that the committee also approved two proposed dam construction projects (Nazilongo dam) in Mukwela area of Kalomo district and one in Kapeshi Village on Mulembo river in chief Shaibila’s area of Mkushi district.
The two dam projects are being promoted by local investors – Tembusha Farming Limited and Graham Mulders – at an estimated investment of US$120,000 and K400,000 respectively.
“As the country continues to grapple with water and energy deficiency, the three projects are expected to positively contribute to the government’s efforts in dealing with the impacts of the drought on the economy,” said Etondo.
Following a record drought, hydroelectric dams have dried up, plunging the country into in a deep energy crisis disrupting daily livelihoods and operations in all sectors of the economy.
President Hakainde Hichilema has directed regulators to speed up the approval of projects that promote alternative energy sources.
Dangerously low water levels at the reservoirs have cut electricity output by huge margins and extended daily load shedding, forcing President Hichilema to appeal to citizens and industry to switch to gas and solar energy in order to save the economy from collapse.
The government through the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment has also banned permits for charcoal production in some of the worst drought hit central and southern districts, and warned of punitive measures for those breaking the law.
More areas are expected to be added to the charcoal production restriction in efforts to halt the acceleration of deforestation, which contributes to weather and climate vagaries.
While the switch to LPG for household cooking and heating has gained some ground and continues to be heavily promoted, charcoal remains a widely used form of energy in urban and rural Zamba, and the electricity shortage has significantly increased its usage. This has raised renewed fears about the country’s fast reducing forest stock density and rapid land degradation.
