Skip to main content

Zambia plans to have sub-Saharan Africa’s cheapest electricity using solar power


LOOK TO THE SUN



Lake Kariba is drying up, and so is Zambia's electricity supply. (Reuters/Philimon Bulawayo) 




Disappointed by hydroelectric power reduced by drought, Zambia is turning to the sun. The landlocked country plans to build two solar projects that will charge the lowest tariffs in sub-Saharan Africa, according to the Zambian Industrial Development Corporation.

Solar power development comes as Lake Kariba, the main source of Zambia’s electricity, is at a just 12% of its capacity. The world’s largest man-made lake lies on the Zambezi River between the Zambian and Zimbabwean border and produces 600MW and 750MW for the two countries, respectively.

The two solar projects will provide electricity priced at 6.02c/kWh and 7.84c/kWh, respectively. Those prices will remain fixed for 25 years, the corporation said in a statement. Zambians using over 300kWh in their homes pay about 51c/kWh on the current energy tariffs with a standard 31c/kWh for commercial use.

Italian multinational Enel Green Power and Arizona-headquarteredNeon S.A.S/First Solar Inc. are the front-runners in the bidding process that ended last month. The two solar power projects will have the capacity to produce 50MW each and are part of the World Bank’sScaling Solar initiative. Launched in 2015 in Zambia, Senegal and Madagascar, the World Bank initiative encourages nations to develop solar power by providing financing and technical guidance. The goal is to have solar plants running within two years.

Diversifying Zambia’s renewable energy sources has become more urgent as the country’s reliance on hydropower has exposed cracks in the system. Lake Kariba was in need in renovation before drought conditions brought on by the El Niño weather phenomenon dried up the reservoir and Zambia’s electricity supply. Zambia’s historic failure to expand the hydropower system or invest in other renewable energy sources has exacerbated the current electricity shortage.

Critics say Zambia has failed to harness an estimated 6000MW of unexploited hydropower in the fifty years since Lake Kariba was built. The country’s development since independence has increased electricity demand (PDF), which now outstrips production capacity. To support economic growth, the country must produce 3,000 MW by 2050, according to the Zambian Development Agency. Adding scaled solar power projects to the national grid could help Zambia reach this target.


National electricity demand forecasts in Zambia (Ministry of Energy and Development, Zambia)(Minisry of Energy and Water Development, Zambia)

Zambia needs between 560MW to 1000MW of power that it can’t supply. The national power utility ZESCO is projected to lose $277 million in revenue as a result of the power deficit, according to theLusaka Times. In recent months, Zambians have literally found themselves in the dark with scheduled and unscheduled power cuts. Despite signs of recovery, the power cuts have already dimmed Zambia’s growth prospects.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Four Armed Robbery Suspects Killed In Shootout With Police In Songwe

  “This is Vwawa Bus Stand, where the incident occurred in which armed robbers shot and killed a security guard before fleeing with various items.” Songwe. Four suspected armed robbers have been shot dead following a confrontation with police in Songwe Region after allegedly being involved in a violent raid on a mobile phone and financial services shop in Vwawa town, Mbozi District, in which a security guard was killed. According to a statement issued today, December 30, 2025, by the Songwe Regional Police Commander, Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police (SACP) Augustino Senga, the incident occurred at around 3:30 a.m. The suspects reportedly stormed the shop, owned by businessman Gabriel Msemwa, at the Vwawa main bus stand, killed the guard, William Mwampashi (45), and fled with assorted items. The deceased suspects have been identified as Bruce Mwasenga, Eliuta Mapunda, Abdul Chiba, and Justine, known by a single name. SACP Senga said police immediately launched intensive, inte...
Post a Comment
Read more

JAB Yawasogeza Huduma Waandishi Iringa, Yaomba Ushirikiano Kudhibiti Waandishi Wasioidhinishwa

Iringa. Bodi ya Ithibati ya Waandishi wa Habari (JAB) imeendelea na jitihada za kusogeza huduma zake kwa waandishi wa habari nchini, safari hii ikifika katika Klabu ya Waandishi wa Habari Iringa (Iringa Press Club – IPC), ikiwa ni sehemu ya mkakati wa kuboresha tasnia ya habari na kulinda taaluma ya uandishi wa habari. Akizungumza wakati wa kikao na waandishi wa habari mkoani Iringa, Kaimu Mkurugenzi Mkuu wa Bodi ya Ithibati ya Waandishi wa Habari (JAB), Wakili Patrick Kipangula, amesema lengo la ziara hiyo ni kutoa elimu kuhusu majukumu ya bodi, mchakato wa ithibati pamoja na kusikiliza changamoto zinazowakabili waandishi wa habari ngazi ya mikoa. Wakili Kipangula amesema bado kuna changamoto ya uwepo wa watu wanaojihusisha na shughuli za uandishi wa habari bila kuwa na ithibati halali, hali inayochafua tasnia na kuhatarisha maadili ya kazi hiyo nyeti. “Tunawaomba waandishi wa habari kushirikiana na Bodi kwa kuwafichua watu wanaojitambulisha kama waandishi bila kuwa na ithiba...
Post a Comment
Read more

MUCE IMPLEMENTS SH18.6 BILLION PROJECT IN HONOUR OF FATHER OF THE NATION’S VISION

Iringa. As Tanzania marks 26 years since the passing of the Father of the Nation, Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere — a passionate advocate for education — Mkwawa University College of Education (MUCE), a constituent college of the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), continues to successfully implement the Higher Education for Economic Transformation (HEET) Project worth over Sh18.6 billion. Speaking to journalists in Iringa, MUCE Principal Prof Method Samwel Semiono said the project, implemented by the government through the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, aims to reform the higher education system so it can directly contribute to the country’s economic transformation. “The five-year project (2021/2022–2025/2026) is funded by the World Bank and focuses on curriculum improvement, infrastructure development, human resource capacity building, inclusive education and gender equality, as well as promoting the use of ICT and digital learning,” explained Prof Semiono. He no...
Post a Comment
Read more