Kang'ombe wants mines compelled to generate own electricity due to rising energy costs

Christopher Kang’ombe, an engineer, has argued that power generated by Ndola Energy Company will be more expensive than ever.

Kang’ombe said the facility would now be importing diesel instead of using residues from Indeni Oil Refinery, as initially planned.

Ndola Energy has resumed power generation, adding 105 megawatts to the grid amid persistent power blackouts.

Kang’ombe provided historical perspective, explaining that operational challenges at Indeni Refinery have resulted in the unavailability of Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) for the Ndola Energy plant.

As a result, Ndola Energy had opted to import diesel to run its engines.

Kang’ombe stated on his official social media handle on Sunday that restarting operations would mean Ndola Energy deciding to purchase diesel instead of importing HFO to run its engines.

He emphasized that this change “would entail now selling electricity at a higher price with the end user being mining companies.”

Kang’ombe added, “GL Energy has obviously done its accounting numbers to establish if it is profitable or not to use millions of liters of diesel per month to run the engines.”

From a public policy perspective, Kang’ombe advocates that new players in the mining industry should be compelled to include budgeting for setting up their own electricity generation units to meet part of their energy demands for critical equipment.

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