The Off-Grid Energy Task Force

The Off-Grid Energy Task Force meets regularly, and has thus far established working groups committed to:

• Clarifying and improving import regulations for solar energy products and appliances designed for use with solar home systems: LED lights have received VAT exemption, and work is underway with the Ministry of Finance to clarify regulations for off-grid appliances
• Drafting a policy to regulate the construction and operation of mini-grids, in consultation with the private sector: This policy is currently going through an approval process by the Energy Regulatory Board
• Clarifying land rights regulations to de-risk investment in mini-grids: the government is in discussions with mini-grid sector representatives to resolve this issue
• Identifying approaches to improving the affordability of off-grid energy technology: discussions are ongoing, based on newly shared market analytics
• Improving the sharing of market intelligence: an online platform for this purpose is under development

Who is in the Task Force?

Government of Zambia:

• Ministry of Energy (MoE)
• Department of Energy (DoE)
• Energy Regulatory Board (ERB)
• Rural Electrification Agency (REA)
• Ministry of Finance (MoF)
• Ministry of National Development Planning (MNDP)
• Office of the Vice President (OVP)

Cooperating Partners:

• African Development Bank (AfDB)
• Department for International Development (DFID; UK)
• European Union
• International Finance Corporation (IFC)
• Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida)
• World Bank
• United States Agency for International Development (USAID)

Private Sector:

• Zambia Renewable Energy Association (ZARENA)
• Solar Industry Association of Zambia (SIAZ, currently being formed)
• Specially nominated representatives from private sector
• Companies in the off-grid sector