By Kelvin Chisanga
How many roofs do we have in Lusaka? We can use them to produce the much needed power to run businesses as a way of mitigating certain energy challenges being faced as a result of total dependence on hydro generated power especially towards summer periods when our water levels become extremely low.

Why can’t we have ZESCO introduce smart metres which work both clockwise and anticlockwise so that we can both tap and supply power to and from ZESCO.

We can all install solar panels on each and every roof, and we can still get power from the power utility company (ZESCO) as per usual case then during the period of load shedding we start using our own energy produced from the various solar panels which could have generated from these installed solar facilities on most roofs through a ZESCO organized scheme, in this case the installed metres will start working anticlockwise to supply ZESCO power using these same cables that do connect to our various homes through local transformers and this can be planned to avoid short circuit when the main power comes alive after a stipulated timeframe.

With this concept of household solar, we can then pay at least 50% reflective tariff way below the current tariffs if engaged properly with that system especially if power is generated within areas of high density residential areas.

One other factor which ZESCO should be worked on is the energy storage or a private investor should come in, its unfortunately for many years as a nation no one thinks of energy storage facilities at national utility company.

So the power utility company cannot store its energy product and whatever is produced is either goes to waste or they sell it to the neighbouring countries.

I would like to encourage the current government and all concerned stakeholders to open up a policy framework specifically for energy strategy mix so that as a country, we open up vast opportunities in this sector and again as a nation, we need to work towards mitigating future occurrence of this, once and for all.

-Kelvin Chisanga-