ZEMA Approves 207 New Projects Worth $965 Million in April and May 2024
The Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) has approved 207 new projects, increasing the total number of approved projects in 2024 to 452.
These newly approved initiatives, assessed in April and May 2024 by ZEMA’s Environmental Assessment Committee, represent an investment value of approximately $965 million. The cumulative investment for all projects approved this year now stands at about $2.0 billion.
Eng. Godfrey Mwiinga, Director General of ZEMA, highlighted the significance of these approvals in addressing current environmental and economic challenges.
Among the newly approved projects are five solar energy initiatives with a combined capacity of 270 MW, totaling an investment of $150 million.
Additionally, six dam projects have been sanctioned, expected to hold a combined capacity of 16 million cubic meters (m³) at a cost of $504 million.
“These energy and water harvesting projects are crucial in mitigating the adverse effects of droughts that have severely impacted power supply and agriculture in Zambia,” Eng. Mwiinga stated.
He emphasized the importance of these projects in responding to the presidential directive to expedite energy and water resource assessments in light of the ongoing drought crisis.
ZEMA has reiterated the necessity for developers to comply with the Environmental Management Act No. 12 of 2011 throughout the preparation and implementation phases of their projects.
Eng. Mwiinga reminded developers that adherence to ZEMA’s conditions is essential for maintaining project approval. The Agency holds the authority to revoke approvals if compliance standards are not met during the project’s lifecycle.
