Energy and the Environment: Lessons from Kafue Gorge

Last week, I was one of the beneficiaries of the SESA Project sponsored to attend a training course in #SolarSystemDesign and #Installation at Kafue Gorge Regional Training Centre (KGRTC). The SESA Project is building skills for #energy in #southernAfrica to ensure energy access and security for all populations and businesses.

One of my needs as an #entrepreneur was to have the technical capacity to be the best in my industry, International Labour Organization through Kafue Gorge Regional Training Centre (KGRTC) and #SACREEE have helped me and other women access equal learning opportunities in #renewableenergy and #energyefficiency.

Kafue Gorge Regional Training Centre

Located on a ridge overseeing the Kafue River, Kafue Gorge Regional Training Centre (KGRTC) is beyond its reputation in #excellence and #professionalism, when we arrived, I thought I was at a resort but was awakened to the intensity of the training program right from the beginning. We had been assigned an expert team of trainers taken from the highest learning institutions and industry leaders in renewable energy.

The theoretical knowledge from the Professors was married with intense lab sessions where we did some exciting things including building solar and battery modules, and installations and finally we designed an off-grid solar system.

Moyo Off-Grid Solar Project

My favourite part was the field visit to the #REA project installed by #SmartNet, a 50KW #OffGridSolarSystem for Moyo Mini Hospital to enhance the provision of quality healthcare services such as maternity, inpatient, pharmacy, mortuary, and the mother’s shelter, targeting 80,000 people around the area. The system itself is impressive; panels are installed neatly, intelligent energy management system comprising a battery communication hub for some powerful lithium-ion batteries.

Now on the other side, an energy audit of the facility with an installed capacity of 50KW showed that only 5KW of power was being used. Here is US$267,000 being under-utilized. For a net-zero future to be obtained, we need an energy transition that goes beyond using renewable energy to energy efficiency. To be able to effectively obtain value from our investments, public and private projects must be audited to ensure that we are putting resources through renewable to the right usage.

Kafue Gorge

KGRTC sits between Kafue Upper Power Station and Kafue Lower Power Station, with installed capacities of 900MW and 750MW respectively operated by ZESCO. 80% of Zambia`s electricity is generated from hydropower, posing a serious risk to Zambia`s energy security. As history showed us from 2014 – 2015, you cannot over-depend on one power source. It is good to see the Ministry of Energy investing in other sources;

1. 200MW KARIBA SOLAR PROJECT
2. 200MW KAFUE GORGE LOWER SOLAR PROJECT
3. 200MW KABWE SOLAR PROJECT
4. 100MW KANONA SOLAR PV PLANT
5. 75MW MUZUMA SOLAR PV PLANT
6. 100MW ITEZHI-TEZHI SOLAR PV PLANT
7. 150 MW WIND POWER PLANT
8. 1MW SHANGOMBO SOLAR/ DIESEL PROJECT,

Another noteworthy experience was meeting powerful women, whom I am grateful to have networked with. They energized the program with their bright innovations and real-life experiences on how to shine in this industry. SESA is helping women reach for the stars through its scholarship program.

I would like to thank SACREEE, ILO and KGRTC for the lessons learnt!