Zesco Ltd. recently put up a proposal to the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) to increase electricity tariifs by an average of 36%.
The reason given for the proposed increment is that there is a need for the company to raise capital for construction of new hydropower stations. This is to alleviate a serious power deficiency in the country.
Hydro Electric power stations have been the traditional source of electrical energy, which accounts for nearly all of the nation's soure of electricity.
The country is already experiencing a critical shortage of electrical energy, which has resulted in increased load shedding across the country in recent years. This is due to an increase in demand of electrical power, brought about by the incoming of new industries, mainly mines, in recent years.
The country has experienced two major blackouts in the last few years as a result of inadequate generating capacity.
Aging equipment of the nation's Hydropower stations is another factor that has contributed to the crisis.
A number of the equipment have been in operation for over forty years. Zesco Ltd. is in the process of rehabilitating the equipment and this calls for more money .
In order to supplement the Zesco effort of improving the reliability of the electrical supply, and to cushion the effect of increased electricity tariff charges, it has become necessary to look at alternative sources of energy.
One of these is solar energy.
In Africa there is an abundant supply of sunshine for most of the time during the year. The use of solar power is therefore an attractive alternative.
Solar energy can be utilized in two forms
1) Converting the solar energy into electrical energy by use of solar panels and storing it in batteries in form of DC power. The DC is then converted to AC mains by use of Inverters.
The initial capital cost for installation of solar panels to produce electricity is higher than that of hydroelectric systems.
With advancement of technology, the installation cost is steadily decreasing.
2) Direct use of the heat from the sun for water heating and cooking.
The former method is becoming common in the country, whereas the latter is not.
The method of using solar power to create heat, can be used to supplement the solar panel system. This method is technologically less demanding than the solar panel method.
A number of companies which deal in selling and installing Solar Energy equipment do exist in Zambia.
However, the business is still in its infancy.
Local companies in Zambia should be encouraged to invest more into this business, as is the case in the USA and other western countries.
References : -
1) Making and using a solar cooker by Joe Radabaugh Issue #30
http://is.gd/cl9ar
2) Solar Cookers International (How Solar Cookers Work)
http://is.gd/cl9ij
3) Solar Oven, Cooker and Dryer Tips and Solar Recipes
http://is.gd/cl9uH
4) Zambia - Solar Cooking Project
http://is.gd/cl9BH
5) Energy Savers: Solar Water Heaters
http://is.gd/clbZ2
6) SolarRoofs.com solar water heating, The Most Cost Effective Way to Go Solar!
http://is.gd/clcYf
7) Solar Water Heating Systems: Solar Hot Water, Solar Water Heaters
http://is.gd/cldhR
8) How to Build a Solar Hot Water System
http://is.gd/cldsm
9) Mr. Solar - Home & RV Solar Panel Systems
http://is.gd/cldFP
10) Mr Solar Energy
http://www.mrsolarenergy.com/
http://is.gd/cldSF
11) Solar Energy Retail Businesses in the World
http://is.gd/clhhT
Showing posts with label companies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label companies. Show all posts
Monday, May 24, 2010
Friday, April 23, 2010
Solar Energy Alternative
With the increased unreliability and ever increasing tariff charges from power utility companies, it has become necessary to look at alternative sources of energy. One of these is solar energy.
In Africa, there is an abundant supply of sunshine to enable a steady supply of energy for most of the time throughout the year.
The use of solar power is, therefore, an attractive alternative to mains power.
The initial capital cost for installation of a solar energy plant is, however, higher than of other types of energy sources such as hydroelectric systems.
With advancement of technology, the installation cost is steadily decreasing.
A number of companies, dealing with Solar Energy retail Business, have been established around the World.
In Zambia the solar energy industry is still in its infancy.
Business houses should therefore be encouraged to invest more in this type of energy source.
Reference:
http://energy.sourceguides.com/businesses/byP/solar/byB/dist/dist.shtml
In Africa, there is an abundant supply of sunshine to enable a steady supply of energy for most of the time throughout the year.
The use of solar power is, therefore, an attractive alternative to mains power.
The initial capital cost for installation of a solar energy plant is, however, higher than of other types of energy sources such as hydroelectric systems.
With advancement of technology, the installation cost is steadily decreasing.
A number of companies, dealing with Solar Energy retail Business, have been established around the World.
In Zambia the solar energy industry is still in its infancy.
Business houses should therefore be encouraged to invest more in this type of energy source.
Reference:
http://energy.sourceguides.com/businesses/byP/solar/byB/dist/dist.shtml
Thursday, April 1, 2010
The Cost of Poor Service
Service is defined in the dictionary as "work, or doing work for another or for a community, etc".
According to Wordweb online Dictionary and Thesauras ( http://www.wordwebonline.com/ ), one meaning of a Service is "a Company or Agency that performs a public service ; subject to government regulation".
A number of companies and organisations are engaged in providing services and amenities such as education, water, electricity , communication facilities, sewerage removal and medical care to the public .
These companies and organisations are commonly referred to as service providers.
The quality of the service provided by a number of the service providers has been a source of concern .
One area where public has been given a raw deal is in the availability of a reliable electrical power supply. In recent years, there has been power cuts on a regular basis.
Supply of water by water utility companies in some areas has seen disruptions on a regular basis. The quality of the water supplied also leaves much to be desired.
It is common in some areas, to open a "domestic water" tap and see muddy water coming out of it for some time before clear water is seen.
The muddy water is metered and paid for. The users have no choice but to let it flow to the drain or keep it in containers to let it settle before use.
The availability of internet is erratic in some parts of the country. Even those customers subscribing to broadband internet, do not always get the specified speeds that they pay for.
The availability of medicine in a number of medical institutions is erratic. It is only those who can afford to pay private institutions who get a better service.
In the education sector, it is now "fashionable" for parents to pay for private tuition of school going children in order for them to get good marks in their examinations.
What has happened to the standard of teaching in some schools ? The answer is anybody's guess.
Let us consider an example, where a parent pays, say $250 per term, for a child who attends a boarding school. During school holidays, the parent pays $20 per subject for the child to get "extra tuition". The tuition would be from a member of staff from a similar school where the child attends! For four subjects, $80 tuition fee has to be paid. The total cost of education per child comes to $990 per year, instead of $750. This is 32% more than what should be paid.
There is nothing wrong with extra tuition for school children who are slow learners. What is worrying is where this tuition has become the norm rather than the exception. What happens to the children whose parents can not afford extra tuition if their schools can't provide quality tuition ?
Let us consider another example of a water utility company who supplies low quality domestic water. If a family pays $40 per month for it and, say $5 worth of that water is not suitable for use. This comes to $60 worth of water per year thrown into the drain.
These two examples given above, results in a total figure of $300 extra expenditure per annum. This money, which is paid unnecessarily reduces the quality of life of the family. It is also good breeding ground for corruption as people are forced to find other means to make ends meet .
If the total amount of money lost by the public, in terms of loss of business, or having to pay extra is calculated, it will be in millions of dollars for the whole country.
The question is, what has gone wrong for us to reach this state of affairs?
A number of service providers are dogged by various problems ranging from poor management styles , lack of capital input and lack of competition.
Authorities are urged to put measures, to ensure that the public does not subsidize non-performing companies and organisations, at the expense of national developement.
According to Wordweb online Dictionary and Thesauras ( http://www.wordwebonline.com/ ), one meaning of a Service is "a Company or Agency that performs a public service ; subject to government regulation".
A number of companies and organisations are engaged in providing services and amenities such as education, water, electricity , communication facilities, sewerage removal and medical care to the public .
These companies and organisations are commonly referred to as service providers.
The quality of the service provided by a number of the service providers has been a source of concern .
One area where public has been given a raw deal is in the availability of a reliable electrical power supply. In recent years, there has been power cuts on a regular basis.
Supply of water by water utility companies in some areas has seen disruptions on a regular basis. The quality of the water supplied also leaves much to be desired.
It is common in some areas, to open a "domestic water" tap and see muddy water coming out of it for some time before clear water is seen.
The muddy water is metered and paid for. The users have no choice but to let it flow to the drain or keep it in containers to let it settle before use.
The availability of internet is erratic in some parts of the country. Even those customers subscribing to broadband internet, do not always get the specified speeds that they pay for.
The availability of medicine in a number of medical institutions is erratic. It is only those who can afford to pay private institutions who get a better service.
In the education sector, it is now "fashionable" for parents to pay for private tuition of school going children in order for them to get good marks in their examinations.
What has happened to the standard of teaching in some schools ? The answer is anybody's guess.
Let us consider an example, where a parent pays, say $250 per term, for a child who attends a boarding school. During school holidays, the parent pays $20 per subject for the child to get "extra tuition". The tuition would be from a member of staff from a similar school where the child attends! For four subjects, $80 tuition fee has to be paid. The total cost of education per child comes to $990 per year, instead of $750. This is 32% more than what should be paid.
There is nothing wrong with extra tuition for school children who are slow learners. What is worrying is where this tuition has become the norm rather than the exception. What happens to the children whose parents can not afford extra tuition if their schools can't provide quality tuition ?
Let us consider another example of a water utility company who supplies low quality domestic water. If a family pays $40 per month for it and, say $5 worth of that water is not suitable for use. This comes to $60 worth of water per year thrown into the drain.
These two examples given above, results in a total figure of $300 extra expenditure per annum. This money, which is paid unnecessarily reduces the quality of life of the family. It is also good breeding ground for corruption as people are forced to find other means to make ends meet .
If the total amount of money lost by the public, in terms of loss of business, or having to pay extra is calculated, it will be in millions of dollars for the whole country.
The question is, what has gone wrong for us to reach this state of affairs?
A number of service providers are dogged by various problems ranging from poor management styles , lack of capital input and lack of competition.
Authorities are urged to put measures, to ensure that the public does not subsidize non-performing companies and organisations, at the expense of national developement.
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