REHO DISCUSSES ENERGY WITH CEEEZ DIRECTOR

UNCLAS GABORONE 000677


DEPT FOR OES/PCI, OES/ETC, OES/FO, OES/ENV
DEPT FOR AF/S, AF/EPS AND EEB

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV ECON EAID ZA BC
SUBJECT: REHO DISCUSSES ENERGY WITH CEEEZ DIRECTOR


1. Summary: Regional Environment and Health Officer for Southern
Africa (REHO) and Embassy Lusaka Econ/Commercial Assistant met June
4 with Professor Yamba, Chairman of the Centre for Energy,
Environment and Engineering Zambia (CEEEZ),to discuss energy issues
in Zambia. He described CEEEZ's mission, past and present
activities, and potential role in policy making. CEEEZ has a lot of
expertise and experience on energy issues that it has on occasion
offered to the Government of Zambia (GRZ),but has had limited
success in influencing policy. End Summary.

Core Mission
--------------


2. Embassy Lusaka Econ/Commercial Specialist and REHO met June 4 in
Lusaka with CEEEZ Chairman Dr. Francis Yamba, to discuss energy
issues in Zambia. (Note: Dr. Yamba is a former member of the
National Energy Council which advises the GOZ on a broad range of
energy issues, as well as a board member of the Zambia Electricity
Supply Corporation. He is currently Professor of Mechanical
Engineering at the University of Zambia. End Note.) Yamba began by
explaining that CEEEZ is a local research NGO established in 1993
with a view to collaborating with the GRZ and other stakeholders on
energy, environment and engineering issues. CEEEZ investigates,
analyzes and makes policy recommendations to its clients. He said
CEEEZ's key areas are thus research and consultancy on environment
and energy.


3. With respect to energy, Yamba said CEEEZ focuses its
investigative studies on energy security, efficiency and access to
better inform the policy process in Zambia. For instance, CEEEZ did
an energy planning study on supply and demand in the mid 1990's,
predicting, accurately as it turned out, a serious energy shortage
in Zambia and Southern Africa by 2007. Yamba lamented that GRZ
policy makers ignored CEEEZ's stark warnings. Asked if he thought
the GRZ would now take CEEEZ's advice more seriously, Yamba
demurred, noting that he has not had much contact with policy makers
lately.

Energy Activities
--------------


4. Yamba noted that CEEEZ is actively involved in the development of
energy and environmental projects, particularly those encompassing
energy efficiency and renewable energy. For instance, the imminent
launch of the West Lunga Project, which is located 600 miles
Northwest of Lusaka, entails the establishment of mini hydroelectric
dams capable of supplying 3 MW of electricity. The Chilinga Project
240 miles East of Lusaka involves 1-MW hydroelectric dams.
Regarding biomass, CEEEZ is studying its future potential,
especially for decentralized institutions. Currently, CEEEZ has
chosen three districts for this activity: Lukulu, Shangombo and
Luangua.


5. CEEEZ has also been active in the African Rural Energy Enterprise
Development (AREED),according to Yamba. His organization got
financing from the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) and
the Swedish Development Agency (SIDA). He said this regional
project (it includes Tanzania and Mali) has so far received USD 3
million to work with energy entrepreneurs to finance viable
projects, as process that has been underway for 8 years. Funded
projects have included solar-powered bakeries, improved stoves,
solar drying of vegetables, and other energy efficiency projects.
SIDA is also supporting irrigation projects run by small-scale
farmers and "telecenters" in rural areas lacking electricity.

Environmental Activities
--------------


6. Alluding to CEEEZ's environmental endeavors, Yamba noted the
continuing focus on climate change studies and modeling,
particularly regarding the possible impact of changing climates in
the Zambezi river basin on the generation of hydroelectric power.
Additionally, CEEEZ, as the focal point for Zambia, is pursuing a
number of Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects. They
encompass capacity building, project design, financing and
development, and application of sustainability indicators to CDM
projects, climate adaptation strategies, monitoring and evaluation,
and verification/certification and issuance of Certified Emission
Reductions (CERs). CEEEZ is also Zambia's focal point for
Green-House Gas (GHG) emissions, routinely acting as auditor for
various clients. In addition, CEEEZ does environmental impact
assessments (EIAs),sustainable development indicators and
energy-related environmental analysis. Finally, Yamba revealed that
he has urged the GOZ to pursue energy efficiency and better energy
management.


DROUIN