By Clive Mutame Siachiyako
Whenever there’s a problem in society, experts brain storm possible ways of improving the situation. When Ebola broke out in some African countries, medical doctors and auxiliary pundits were falling on each other in finding the answers that would save lives. Similarly, at local level, whenever there’s a disease outbreak usefulness of the medics is sought to avert the situation.
Paradoxically, a strange silence has taken over from the time power supply hiccups emerged in Zambia. Engineers don’t seem to exist. Government equally doesn't seem to seek for answers from apt experts –engineers. By now a power deficit emergency fund would have been in place and engineers would have made themselves useful in getting around the power shortfall problem. Don’t we have engineers in the country? Does government have confidence in them? Why do they exist anyway if they can’t make themselves exceptionally useful in such times?
To add absurdity to it, the Zambia Electricity Supply and Corporation (ZESCO) doesn't talk about other sources of energy outside hydro power. If it does, where are the strategies to get to those power-generation and supply ends? Suppose rains get worse next year, what will happen? Are we getting back to firewood and disconnect the houses from hydro power system? What is ZESCO thinking? Since the corporation is mute on its power diversification strategy, it can be assumed it’s not thinking nor doing anything.
Diversification is a premium during ‘rainy days.’ Putting all eggs in one basket is very risky…it’s a daft way of living. In a country where there’s sunshine for almost 6 hours per day, diversify in solar power generation becomes cooler. ZESCO can think of solar houses to generate enough energy to cough-out the current deficit the country is experiencing. Time to sit and watch natural resources is long gone. Engineers have to get dirty and help minimise this power messy. Their fellow engineers in other countries are making breath taking breakthroughs that address daily problems society face. What’s wrong with the Zambian engineers? Are they half trained or the country has not provided them with arenas to apply themselves fully?
What about wind power? Doesn't Zambia have suitable points where windmills can be placed to generate the much needed power? Can’t we make use of those mountains (Zambezi and Muchinga) to trap wind and push out energy from it? Can someone start talking engineering solutions here? Why is there this daft silence when the country has a horde of engineers with so many specialities? This is depressing. The power supply is getting into an intensive care unit (ICU) situation and no one seems to care and get things moving.
The Engineer Institute of Zambia (EIZ) has to throw its muscles here and get things moving. It has a plethora of engineering experts who can help sort of the power shortfall messy and save the economy. If nothing gets done soonest, the economy will be grounded. It’s general knowledge that energy drives almost all economic activities. Where are the viable energy generation and diversification plans that the country needs to get over this darkening of the country by ZESCO?
The ministry of energy and water development has to rise up and get counted here. Talking alone isn't enough. We have had television and radio talking programmes enough!! It’s time to get into action. Why can’t we have an emergency energy fund immediately and get working? Why should we keeping on depending on rains which we don’t know how they will fall each season? We have other sources of energy. Let people struggle with hunger due to poor rainfall not a combination of hunger and power blackouts.
Engineers’ competences alone aren't enough. Money is needed. Research too is needed. Do we have Energy Research Knowledge Centre somewhere at the ministry of energy and water development to gather knowledge on averting these energy lapses and generate a quantum savvy and steps to get around energy hiccups? Getting comfortable with nature’s failure to provide enough rainfall is a sign of total laziness. Nature doesn't only provide one source of energy. It’s us to use our heads and utilise what’s available to generate power. Sitting akimbo waiting for next rainy season is very bad way of planning and facing life. When someone spoke about plan B and C they meant having a broader view of things and never to put all eggs on one basket.
In such matters even getting a loan specifically to establish alternative energy plants was necessary. The current power supply situation is nauseating to the economy. Imagine barbershop owners, metal fabricators, salon owners and butchery businesses…how do they sustain their businesses and provide for their families? Those are the jobs the economy need, which are dying in large numbers due to power outages. Is someone not doing some economic analysis at higher level to advice the system? What’s going on?
I have heard news about private individuals committing their money in setting up solar plants here and there. That’s great! But private capital comes with fastest recoup time frame. It means higher cost of the power. Are the low income people going to manage to access the power under the private hands? No of course!! Why is ZESCO seeming allergic to power diversification? What’s wrong with this company? Is it lack of power-generation-vision or something is blinding them?
It’s simply baffling.
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