Secretary to the Cabinet Patrick Kangwa has disclosed that government spent about 758 million United States dollars on fuel in public institutions last year

Mr Kangwa said government is promoting the use of electric vehicles in public institutions as part of cost-saving measures and efforts to reduce fuel expenditure.

Speaking during the Senior Public Service Management Meeting in Lusaka, Mr Kangwa added that wider adoption of electric vehicles could significantly reduce expenditure on imported fuel.

Meanwhile, Mr Kangwa said government has recorded significant progress in the energy sector through reforms, infrastructure development and investments aimed at increasing electricity generation and improving energy security in the country.

Mr Kangwa stressed that government’s target is to increase electricity generation capacity from the current 3,000 megawatts to 10,000 megawatts by 2030 as directed by President Hakainde Hichilema.

“Major achievements include the commissioning of the 750-megawatt Kafue Gorge Lower Hydropower Station, the construction of the 300-megawatt Maamba Coal Power Plant and the launch of several solar energy projects across the country,” he said.

Mr Kangwa added that the Chisamba Solar Plant, Itimpi Solar Power Station in Kitwe and the Kanona Solar PV Project are among initiatives helping to diversify Zambia’s energy mix and reduce dependence on hydropower.