In response to a severe power deficit, the Zambian government has secured agreements to import an additional 218 megawatts of electricity from South Africa and Zimbabwe. Minister of Energy Makozo Chikote announced on Thursday that the electricity, sourced from South Africa’s Eskom and Zimbabwe Power Company, is expected to be integrated into the national grid within August 2024.
This new supply will augment the existing 409 megawatts Zambia currently imports from its neighbours. Chikote also highlighted ongoing efforts to mitigate the energy crisis further, revealing that Zesco Limited, the national utility provider, is advancing in the procurement of generators. These generators will be strategically installed at critical sites, including hospitals, schools, and key business areas. The initial 12 megawatts of this new generation capacity are anticipated to be operational by the end of August.
To support the development of alternative energy sources, the Zambian Cabinet has approved the inclusion of additional items in the tax exemption bracket for solar equipment. This policy is aimed at facilitating the efficient importation of essential solar technology and encouraging investment in renewable energy solutions.
As of July 31, Zambia’s peak electricity demand stood at 2,400 megawatts, while available generation capacity was only 1,040 megawatts, resulting in a substantial deficit of 1,360 megawatts. The crisis has been exacerbated by drought conditions affecting the country’s hydropower production. In response, Zambia has implemented a rotational power cuts programme to manage the shortfall.
