Energy Praise for Ministry Efforts

...As UNZA Students audit unit Praise Ministry of Energy for Renewable Energy Shift as Audit Shows Savings from Solar and Lighting Upgrades

By Francis Maingaila

Lusaka, Zambia24 – (16 May 2025) –An energy audit conducted by fifth-year students in their first semester from the School of Engineering at the University of Zambia has revealed notable strides in energy efficiency and consumption management at the Ministry of Energy, particularly in the areas of lighting upgrades and the shift to renewable energy sources.

The audit, part of a collaborative initiative between the university and the Ministry, identified areas of improvement while also commending the Ministry for taking commendable steps toward reducing energy consumption and improving efficiency.

Among the key findings was the successful retrofitting of outdated lighting systems with LED bulbs under the ZESCO Switch and Save programme, a move that has significantly reduced electricity usage within the Ministry.

While the Ministry’s annual energy bill stands at K149,071—based on ZESCO tariffs—this figure reflects general usage and not losses due to inefficiency.

The audit team clarified that, thanks to existing energy-saving interventions such as LED retrofits, this cost is expected to drop further once the ongoing installation of solar systems is completed.

“We analyzed the electricity usage and translated it into annual costs,” the audit team leader explained during a presentation at the Ministry.

“However, it's important to note that the Ministry has already made commendable progress by replacing inefficient lighting with LEDs and investing in solar energy.”

Using lux meters, the students measured lighting levels in various offices. Although some areas—especially those with computer equipment—had readings below the internationally recommended 300–500 lux range, this was being addressed through ongoing energy-conscious infrastructure upgrades.

The lowest reading recorded was 116 lux, which the students noted could impact staff comfort and productivity, indirectly affecting energy use due to potential increased reliance on artificial lighting.

The Ministry’s proactive move to adopt solar energy as the primary power source is another step in the right direction for optimizing energy consumption.

The audit found that the existing diesel-powered backup generator runs for around five hours daily, consuming approximately 20.8 litres of fuel each day.

With solar energy now being positioned as the main source, both ZESCO and the generator will serve as secondary supplies, thereby reducing fuel consumption and reliance on fossil fuels.

In addition to structural improvements, the students recommended short-term behavioural energy-saving measures such as optimizing refrigerator settings, switching off lights during non-working hours, and maximizing daylight—actions that can directly lower daily energy consumption.

To sustain these gains, the team proposed forming an internal energy committee to promote awareness, monitor energy practices, and ensure continued progress. This committee, with appropriate training, could lead medium-term interventions aimed at improving areas with low lux levels.

Long-term recommendations included maximizing the use and maintenance of the installed solar systems, which have an estimated lifespan of up to 25 years—emphasizing life-cycle cost savings and energy sustainability.

While the students could not establish the exact payback period for the solar investment due to unavailable data on initial costs, they emphasized the potential for significant long-term reductions in energy expenditure through proper system management.

Dr. Patrick Mubanga, Chairperson for the Energy Audit Section under the Engineering Institution of Zambia (EIZ), oversaw the audit exercise and lauded the Ministry for its commitment to sustainable energy consumption practices.

“Zambia loses significant amounts of money each year due to inefficient energy use in public facilities,” Dr. Mubanga said.

 “However, what we have seen at the Ministry of Energy is a good example of what can be achieved through focused action and investment in energy efficiency.”

He noted that identifying areas of energy inefficiency is the first step toward reducing national energy consumption. 

“We’re not where we should be in terms of energy efficiency as a country, but initiatives like this show that we are moving in the right direction,” he said.

Dr. Mubanga cited past projects where switching to 185-watt solar systems led to savings of about K48 million, demonstrating the tangible benefits of efficient energy use. 

He also emphasized the need for institutional energy audits to guide decisions and encourage practical cost-saving measures, cautioning against the tendency to maintain the status quo.

To accelerate progress, he proposed introducing legislation that would mandate energy-efficient practices among both institutions and households. 

“Eventually, individuals will need to take ownership of their electricity bills. Understanding and managing energy consumption is key,” he told the students.

As part of the training, Dr. Mubanga introduced students to basic audit tools like lux meters and explained how poorly designed lighting or limited access to natural light can increase electricity demand. 

He encouraged Zambian institutions to develop local energy audit standards, rather than depending solely on international benchmarks, in order to tailor practices to local energy needs and constraints.

During the walkthrough audits, students inspected several buildings, identifying areas with inadequate lighting due to poor window design or outdated fixtures—factors that can lead to increased artificial lighting use and higher energy consumption.

“Energy management is not just for electrical engineers,” Dr. Mubanga stated.

 “It requires collaboration among architects, designers, and other professionals.”

He also stressed the value of experiential learning in solving real-world energy consumption challenges, noting that fifth-year students in their second semester are already being prepared for industrial attachments. 

“We must take students beyond the classroom to solve real-world energy challenges,” he said.

Dr. Mubanga highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary skills in today’s energy systems, which now integrate mechanical, civil, and electrical engineering. 

He confirmed that the Ministry, in partnership with stakeholders, is facilitating student placements for hands-on training in energy audits and efficiency projects.

This initiative aligns with Zambia’s broader national strategy to promote sustainable energy use, reduce unnecessary consumption, enhance industrial growth, and ease the burden on the national grid.

Eng. Anna Banda Chandipo, Programmes Coordinator for the Zambia Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Transformation (ZEEST) program, echoed the need for a cultural shift in how energy is used and managed, during an engagement with engineers. 

She said the ZEEST initiative, funded by the European Union, aims to reduce national energy consumption by up to 83 megawatts through interventions like retrofitting 800,000 LED lights in public institutions.

“Our aim is to instill an energy-saving mindset across all sectors—from households to large facilities,” she said. “Already, we’ve recorded 8.7 megawatts in savings from just 300 installations involving LED retrofits and capacitor banks.”

ZEEST comprises two core components: a programme estimate involving four institutions—the Ministry of Energy, ZESCO, the National Council for Construction (NCC), and the Water and Sanitation Company (WASCO)—and an €8 million supply contract for procuring energy audit tools and energy-saving technologies.

Chandipo said the Ministry is currently developing standardised energy audit guidelines and aligning minimum energy performance standards with those of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to ensure consistency in audit outcomes.

“We want audits to follow a uniform, professional approach. Whether conducted by different teams, the results must be consistent,” she said, adding that a legal framework is in the works to make energy audits mandatory for high-consumption institutions.

 “Without enforcement, energy efficiency will remain theoretical,” she said.

In the construction sector, ZEEST is supporting the development of a demonstration “passive house” by the NCC to showcase energy-efficient design principles, such as optimal use of natural lighting and thermal insulation. The model is intended to inform future building codes with stronger emphasis on energy-conscious architecture.

“We hope the demo house will inspire the sector to rethink building design,” she said, urging engineers and planners to critique and refine the model.

In addition to lighting, ZEEST has procured tools such as water meters and variable speed drives for auditing energy usage in the water and automotive sectors.

She noted that traditional lighting systems used approximately 85 watts per tube, while newer LED installations consume just 18 watts—contributing significantly to the country’s savings of 48 megawatts to date.

“The cost of building a new 48-megawatt power plant is massive. By saving that much through efficiency, we are not only conserving resources but investing smartly in Zambia’s future,” she concluded.

The ZEEST project is being implemented under Zambia’s broader sustainable energy strategy. 

The final audit report is expected to be submitted to the Ministry next week for review, policy formulation, and implementation aimed at enhancing national energy efficiency and sustainable consumption.