ZAMBIA DETERMINED TO BUILD A STRONGER GRID FOR A DIVERSE ENERGY MIX
Zambia's electricity subsector is undergoing a significant transformation. With the demonopolization of the market and ZESCO Limited, private sector players are now contributing to the country's energy security.
Driven by the urgency to address the 2024 drought-induced hydroelectricity generation deficit and a growing economy thirsty for electricity, President Hakainde Hichilema's government has introduced strategic reforms in the sector to attract investments and spur economic growth.
“Our government continues to undertake a number of energy reforms aimed at attracting investments in the sector as well as improving the livelihoods of our people,” he said during the official opening of the 2025 Energy Forum for Africa Conference.
And delivering his keynote address on Strengthening Utility Performance: ZESCO’s Journey Toward Efficiency and Financial Resilience, Eng. Justin Loongo, Managing Director of ZESCO, outlined the utility's ambitious program to reinforce its transmission network, a critical enabler of efficiency and regional integration.
"We're integrating Independent Power Producers and enhancing evacuation capacity through projects like the 330kV Muzuma-Kafue West line and new transformers at Kabwe Step Down substation," he said.
Zambia is taking bold strides towards a diversified energy future, with solar energy leading the charge. "We're proud to report that the 100 megawatts Chisamba and 25 megawatts Mailo Solar PV plants are operational," Eng. Loongo said. "We're also preparing sites for an additional 200 megawatts of solar power in Chisamba Phase II and Chipata West."
The approval of the Net Metering framework in 2024 has opened opportunities for autonomous renewable energy generation. "The steady growth of solar rooftop and net metering - already at 11 megawatts - empowers Zambians to become active participants in our energy solutions," he added.
Learning from Zambia's Experience
Malawi's power utility, ESCOM, is taking note of Zambia's transformative steps to enhance its energy portfolio and consolidate energy security. "Zambia is ahead of us in terms of market regulations," says Kamukwamba Kumwenda, Chief Executive Officer at ESCOM.
"We're here to learn how our friends in Zambia have done it. In terms of our operations, by law, its only ESCOM which is mandated to transmit and distribute power in Malawi. Now am glad that regulators are here and are looking at the possibility of opening up the market so that distribution and transmission should be open to anybody who wants to do business with Malawi,” he said.
The three-day Energy Forum for Africa Conference has brought together industry leaders to discuss investment opportunities in the energy sector with this year's theme focusing on "Investment Opportunities in the Energy Sector in Zambia and Africa."