Biofuel Sector Can Save Zambia 200m Per Year

THE biofuels industry needs attention and can save Zambia not less than US $200 million per year in forex outflow based on projected national consumption, says Energy Forum Zambia chairperson Johnstone Chikwanda.

Mr Chikwanda said the projects need attention and depended on effective agriculture such as the growing of biofuel crops, saying that with the removal of subsidies on fuel, the price would now be getting attractive enough to support growing of biofuel crops.

He said biofuel crops such as cassava and sorghum using out-grower schemes remain one of the most viable options for job creation and poverty reduction.

Mr Chikwanda said the plants would consume hundreds of tonnage of cassava and sorghum for a ready market.

“Last year, the President laid a foundation stone for a biofuels plant in Kawambwa which was going to be using crops such as cassava, and it is encouraging that projects like this are monitored closely and the nation kept informed regarding progress being made.

‘‘And the Energy Forum Zambia wishes to state that there is hope for Luapula Province and that the province could be delivered from the grip of generational poverty which has taken the province captive for ages,” he added.

Mr Chikwanda explained that while biofuel standards were launched a few years ago, Zambia appeared to be battling with challenges regarding the implementation of biofuels in Zambia.

He said the biofuels industry would save Zambia not less than US$200 million per year in forex outflow based on projected national consumption.

He said that was part of the reasons the upcoming reforms in the petroleum sector needed to be supported and rolled out urgently.

Mr Chikwanda explained that the reforms have capacity to unlock the potential in the sector and ‘‘to close economic bleeding which has been happening in Zambia for a very long time through different forms of malfeasance and cracks’’.

“Hope for Luapula lies around effective agriculture such as the growing of biofuel crops and a better utilization of the blue economy, referred to as the water body-based economy.

‘‘The blue economy in Luapula has systematically been depleted without adequate measures to safeguard and expand the same,” he added.