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The Energy Regulation Board (ERB) has projected to collect a total of K1.2 billion in non-tax revenue in 2026 through enhanced licensing, standards development, and fuel marking activities, Energy Minister Makozo Chikote has announced.
Chikote told Parliament on Thursday that as of September 30 this year, the ERB had already collected K1 billion in non-tax revenue, with the figure expected to rise further by year-end.
The Minister made the remarks in a policy statement before the Parliamentary Committee on Energy and Water, chaired by Nkana Constituency Member of Parliament Benwell Mpundu, at Parliament Buildings in Lusaka.
He explained that the Ministry, through the ERB, would step up statutory licensing, routine inspections, and compliance audits to promote safety, efficiency, and reliability in energy service delivery.
“I wish to also inform the Committee that the Rural Electrification Authority (REA) targets to implement 100 on-grid and 30 off-grid renewable energy projects in 2026,” Chikote said.
He added that more than 52,500 on-grid and 54,888 off-grid connections are expected to be achieved by the end of 2026.
Chikote said that through the Ascent Programme, the Ministry targeted a total of 107,388 on- and off-grid connections in 2026.
This year alone, the REA has completed 43 grid extension projects and four off-grid projects, while 14,417 government- and partner-funded connections have been implemented between January and August.
On nuclear energy development, Chikote revealed that the Ministry, in collaboration with the Ministry of Technology and Science, has drafted a Nuclear Regulatory Bill to establish a local regulatory body for nuclear energy in Zambia.
“Further, the Ministry has been involved in various capacity-building programmes regarding nuclear technology development, safety, and regulations,” he said.
The Minister emphasized that the development of a Nuclear Power Programme, including the establishment of a nuclear power plant, remained a long-term initiative that is highly regulated at local, regional, and international levels.
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