As Zambia continues to grapple with crippling load shedding that has plunged homes and businesses into darkness, Youth Alliance Zambia (YAZ) has called on government to think beyond temporary solutions and embrace solar energy as a sustainable alternative.
In an impassioned appeal, YAZ President Mukuka Kampamba urged government to procure solar systems and distribute them to households across the country on a hire purchase basis at 200 Kwacha per month.
He said such an initiative would not only reduce the country’s dependency on hydropower but also empower citizens to become producers of their own energy.
“This could be the game changer we need to end load-shedding once and for all,” said Mr.
Kampamba in a Facebook post yesterday. “Mr. President(Hakainde Hichilema) the youths of Zambia are losing hope.”
The proposal comes at a time when Zambia is enduring one of its worst power shortages in recent years, triggered by low water levels at hydroelectric dams due to prolonged drought.
This situation has forced the national utility, Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation Limited (ZESCO), to rationing electricity for up to 12 to 20 hours a day in some areas.
Mr. Kampamba noted that the ongoing power crisis has disrupted industries, affected education and crippled small businesses that rely heavily on electricity.
He futher urged government to empower citizens to generate their own power and supply the excess to ZESCO through net-metering, a system that allows consumers to feed surplus energy back into the national grid.
“They(youths) need to hear from you directly Mr President not just through statements but through real, practical short-term actions that can help them survive these tough times,” Mr. Kampamba added.
“Please, engage the youth, speak to them and give them reasons to believe again.”
Economists and energy experts have long argued that Zambia’s overreliance on hydroelectric power makes the country vulnerable to climate shocks.
Several stakeholders, including youth organisations, have since urged the government to diversify energy sources by investing more in solar, wind and thermal power.
If implemented, Mr. Kampamba’s proposal could offer a ray of hope for thousands of households currently living in darkness, while also creating opportunities for local entrepreneurs in the renewable energy sector.