🇿🇲 BRIEFING | World Bank Says Zambia is Emerging From Electricity Crisis
The World Bank says Zambia is emerging from its electricity crisis and has the potential to become an important regional power-trading hub as investment in electricity generation and transmission expands.
Solar power is becoming a larger part of the country’s energy mix, while Zambia’s National Energy Compact targets 10,000MW of installed generation capacity by 2030, with renewable energy expected to play a major role in reducing dependence on hydropower.
Private investment is also expanding. ZESCO and EnerSynk Group have signed a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement for a planned 500MW solar project on the Copperbelt, with the first 300MW targeted for commercial operation within 16 months after the agreement becomes effective.
Government is separately implementing the K4.3 billion Presidential Constituency Energy Initiative, which will establish 2MW solar plants in each of Zambia’s 156 constituencies. The programme represents 312MW of planned capacity, with Government projecting about 15,600 jobs.
The World Bank says reliable and affordable electricity will be critical to expanding Zambia’s mining, manufacturing, agriculture and private sector, while increased transmission investment and diversification of the country’s energy mix remain important.
The People’s Brief | Francine Lilu