GOVT TARGETS 40% CUT IN HYDROPOWER RELIANCE BY 2031
By Joseph Kaputula
Government says it targets to reduce reliance on hydropower generation by about 40 percent, from approximately 85 percent to about 42 percent by 2031 through its energy diversification agenda.
Ministry of Energy Permanent Secretary for Electricity, Engineer Arnold Simwaba, says solar power generation is expected to increase to about 26 percent while thermal power is also projected to rise to about 25 percent.
Engineer Simwaba said Government recognizes the importance of diversifying energy sources, noting that depending on a single source can be challenging, as experienced during the 2023/2024 drought when hydropower generation was heavily affected.
He has told Phoenix News that cutting hydropower dependence to about 42 percent is a huge task, but will guarantee energy security.
Engineer Simwaba however noted that the targets are subject to change, as they only consider electricity projects already being implemented and not pledges, leaving room to reduce reliance on hydropower even further.
He said by 2031, hydropower generation is expected to reach 4,279 megawatts, solar 2,733 megawatts, while thermal is projected at 2,555 megawatts, which together with minimal contributions from other sources such as wind and geothermal, should bring total generation to about 10,182 megawatts.
PHOENIX NEWS