PLANS are underway by Government to start generating electricity using nuclear technology, the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) says. ERB manager for electricity Nelson Banda said in NorthWestern Province, uranium has piled-up and it is in the custody of the Radiation Protection Authority. Mr Banda said the uranium discovered in the province will be used to generate electricity using nuclear methods.

“On nuclear energy, there is something official, there are plans by the Government to invest in electricity generation using nuclear technology,” Mr Banda said. He was responding to questions from journalists during the media tour of the Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC). Mr Banda is, however, saddened with the negative perception that some sections of society have on nuclear energy and called on the media to help change the mind-set of citizens. The media should disseminate information on nuclear and its advantages, for people to fully understand and appreciate the technology.

Mr Banda said currently, research is being undertaken on nuclear technology. Meanwhile, CEC has invested in numerous projects where it is generating electricity using solar energy. Currently, the company is generating 40 megawatts of power from a solar plant in Riverside and is working on a similar project in Ganerton township. CEC has also invested in a bio-diesel plant which has the capacity to generate 9,000 litres of diesel per annum. CEC engineer for biofuels production Everton Kabwita said this year, the company has failed to produce bio-diesel due to lack of feed.

Mr Kabwita said during the tour of the bio-diesel plant that the company failed to secure soya beans to feed the plant because of stiff competition on the market. He said cooking oil manufacturing companies are offering farmers a lucrative price for soya beans, putting the company at a disadvantage. Mr Kabwita said the company produces bio-diesel for consumption within the company. The media team also toured the solar power plant in Riverside, which has the capacity to generate one megawatt of power.