Reported by: The Agency Media.
Date: 28th March, 2025.
Lusaka, Zambia.
In a bold move towards energy sustainability, the Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing, and Urban Development has commissioned a state-of-the-art 100-kilowatt solar backup power system at Infrastructure House.
This initiative underscores the government’s commitment to reducing reliance on hydroelectric power and promoting renewable energy solutions across public institutions.
Minister of Infrastructure, Housing, and Urban Development, Hon. Eng. Charles Milupi, MP, hailed the K4.3 million project as a milestone in Zambia’s transition to clean energy. He highlighted that the installation aligns with President Hakainde Hichilema’s directive for all public institutions, including schools and hospitals, to integrate solar energy solutions for a more resilient power supply.
The solar backup system is expected to deliver multiple benefits, including:
- Ensuring uninterrupted operations by mitigating the impact of load management by ZESCO.
- Driving renewable energy adoption as part of a broader strategy to diversify Zambia’s energy mix.
- Reducing operational costs, with anticipated savings on diesel fuel (previously costing K9,600 per week) and ZESCO electricity bills (previously K15,000, per month), thanks to the net metering system now in place.
Beyond cost efficiency, Minister Milupi emphasized the project’s environmental impact, noting that the transition to solar energy will lower carbon emissions, improve air quality, and enhance overall institutional efficiency.
He commended the Ministry’s staff for their role in executing the project and encouraged them to ensure its long-term sustainability.
This milestone reinforces the New Dawn Government’s dedication to clean energy adoption and securing a reliable power supply for public institutions, setting a precedent for sustainable development across Zambia.
The Agency.