Government Launches the Energy Single Licensing System

In line with President Hakainde Hichilema's vision of increasing access to electricity in the country, the government has launched the newly developed Energy Single Licensing System to boost investment in the energy sector.

Speaking at a recent energy event, Dr. Francesca Siyambo, the Ministry of Energy's Permanent Secretary for Administration, representing the Minister of Energy Peter Kapala, highlighted that the development of the Energy Single Licensing System demonstrates the government's unwavering commitment to promoting ease of doing business and investment in the energy sector, in line with the National Energy Policy of 2019.

"The government is aware of the challenges associated with obtaining permits and licenses for power development. It is for this reason that the Energy Single Licensing System has been created within the existing statutes of licensing agencies," disclosed Dr. Siyambo.

The new system aims to reduce redundancy, improve response time, and enhance coordination among agencies, thereby shortening the period for applicants to obtain licenses and permits for power development, as all processes will now be conducted electronically.

The government has expressed gratitude to Copperbelt University and the European Union for their support in developing the system. All stakeholders are urged to embrace the new system, as it is not only user-friendly but also a significant milestone that will promote private sector investment in the energy sector in line with the 8th National Development Plan.

Cuthbert Munankwenka, the Presidential Delivery Unit Manager for Projects, noted that the system is expected to increase investment in the electricity sector by reducing time, improving efficiency, and ensuring predictability in the implementation of projects. He disclosed that some projects previously faced delays due to bottlenecks in the licensing process. However, with the new system in place, investments in the electricity sector can be realized within six months.

Recently, the government passed the Open Access Policy on Electricity to promote competitiveness and non-discriminatory access to the transmission and distribution of electricity in the country. This move will allow independent power producers to produce and distribute power to their customers.