EU commits 244 mln euros for Zambia's energy project

The European Union has set aside 244 million euros (277.65 U.S. dollars) to help Zambia improve access to clean energy, reliable and affordable energy, a senior EU official said here Friday.

Gilles Hervio, the head of EU Delegation to Zambia, said the funds have been provided under a joint strategy with the Zambian government in its 2014-2020 National Indicative Program.

"At the moment we are preparing a wider package of technical assistance, including transfer of expertise and innovative technologies, with a view to strengthening energy policies, regulatory framework and supporting different institutions working in the energy sector," he said on the sidelines of a signing ceremony in which four cooperating partners have given Zambia and Zimbabwe 294.2 million U.S. dollars.

The EU envoy said his organization was also ready to support a pilot project to finds ways to exploit renewable sources of energy at reasonable cost, especially in rural parts of the southern African nation, and to reduce the cost for low voltage connections for low-income households and small-and-medium-sized businesses in some selected parts of the country.

According to him, sustainable and affordable energy was cardinal to the development of any nation, adding that renewable energy projects presents great opportunities for developing nations to improve access to energy. Endite