45-DAY INDENI REFINERY CLOSURE DESCRIBED AS NORMAL

Energy Permanent Secretary Teddy Kasonso says the closure of Indeni oil refinery on October 1, 2011 will not affect fuel supply on the market.

Mr Kasonso says the TAZAMA Board of Directors is currently meeting in Lusaka to ensure that no disruptions in supply of fuel occur during the maintenance period.

He was speaking in Lusaka on Thursday when he officially opened a Renewable Energy Forum.

And Mr Kasonso says government is keen to see growth of Renewable Energy so that it helps reduce the national energy deficit.

He has also announced that Government has approved the blending of bio fuels with fossil fuels.

This means that all diesels sold at the pump will now have a five percent content of bio diesel.

And Biofuels Association of Zambia Vice President, Kamal Desai says the approval of the blending ratios will result in increased investment in bio fuels production.

He has said in an interview that currently there is already increased interest from Chinese investors in producing bio fuels.

Renewable energy represents energy generated from natural resources such as sunlight, wind, plants or geothermal heat.