Solar power can be an easy fix but comes with hidden costs – Yusuf Dodia

Lusaka, Zambia – A prominent Lusaka-based economist, Yusuf Dodia, has issued a stark warning regarding Zambia’s escalating reliance on large-scale solar energy projects, urging the government to re-evaluate its strategy and instead prioritize the development of hydroelectric power. Dodia contends that while solar power presents an 'easy fix' for the nation's energy deficit, it comes with substantial hidden environmental and economic costs that could manifest as long-term problems for the country. His remarks follow President Hakainde Hichilema's recent commissioning of the second phase of the Chisamba Solar plant, signaling the government's continued push towards solar energy as a key component of its diversification efforts. Speaking in an interview with the Lusaka Star, Dodia articulated his concerns, emphasizing that large-scale solar installations necessitate vast tracts of land for panels and considerable battery banks for energy storage. These batteries, he highlighted, eventually become toxic waste, posing a severe threat of poisoning land and underground water if not disposed of properly. He suggested that solar energy is best suited as a temporary solution for rural areas not yet connected to the national grid, rather than forming the backbone of Zambia's entire energy system. Dodia underscored the immense potential of Zambia's rivers, particularly the Kafue, which he noted already produces over 2,000 megawatts, accounting for more than half of Zambia's electricity. In contrast to solar, Dodia championed hydropower as offering a long-term solution with minimal environmental damage. He described solar as merely a 'bridging system' for rural electrification until ZESCO, the national power utility, can expand its grid nationwide. This perspective contrasts with the government's stated aim to significantly increase the share of non-hydro renewable energy, particularly solar, in its generation mix to 33 percent by 2030, up from a mere 3 percent. Such diversifi