Minister of Energy Makozo Chikote has   reaffirmed Government’s commitment to welcoming Independent Power Producers (IPPs) to invest in the energy sector to secure a stable and diversified power supply.

Mr Chikote attributes this to the good policies the government is putting in place.

Mr Chikote highlighted that the country is aggressively pursuing partnerships with private entities to increase electricity generation and bridge the energy access gap.

He says this is being achieved through the open access initiative that is being implemented to allow private players to use the grid for power trade.

The Minister disclosed this in Lusaka during the signing ceremony of U$D250 million with an American firm, Designs Zonation Global Network, DZGN and ZESCO.

Prosto Wind Power Managing Director Dough Sirgh signed on behalf of his company while DZGN Executive Director Gilbert Musinguzi signed on behalf of the firm.

The Minister indicated that the goal of the government is to create a conducive environment where the private sector complements the State.

DZGN intends to install a new state-of-the-art 100 megaWatt Conventional wind hybrid power generation to all general and district hospitals in the Copperbelt Province.

This means Zambia becomes the first country in Africa to have wind-powered generation when the installation is completed.

Mr Chikote commended DZGN for choosing to invest in Zambia and assured the government’s readiness to work with IPPs as the country diversifies from hydro and solar generation.

And speaking earlier, DZGN Country Director Samuel Nyirenda disclosed that the wind turbine generators are more powerful and produce over one megaWatt of power.

Engineer Nyirenda said the installation project would be constructed in six months.

He adds that Southern Province will benefit second and thereafter be rolled out to the rest of the eight provinces.

He assured that the construction stage would not only create job opportunities for the locals but also transfer skills.