Zambia has announced an ambitious plan to expand its electricity generation capacity to approximately 2,160 megawatts (MW) by 2026 in an effort to overcome its persistent power deficit and strengthen national energy security. The announcement was made by Energy Minister Makozo Chikote during a meeting with independent power producers in Lusaka on Thursday, where he reaffirmed the government’s commitment to inclusive energy sector reform and collaboration with private investors.
Zambia’s current power generation stands at roughly 1,019 MW, according to data from the Ministry of Energy released in June 2025. The country has been grappling with an energy shortfall exceeding 1,600 MW, a challenge largely exacerbated by the severe drought experienced during the 2023–2024 season. Hydropower, which provides about 80 percent of Zambia’s electricity, has been significantly affected by lower water levels in major reservoirs, exposing the vulnerability of the country’s energy mix to climate variability.
The government has since accelerated efforts to diversify energy sources and attract private sector participation through policy reforms. This strategic shift has opened the door for a growing number of independent power producers (IPPs) investing in both renewable and non-renewable projects. Minister Chikote stated that the government’s broader vision is to move Zambia from a position of deficit to surplus generation, positioning the country as a potential energy exporter in the Southern African region.
“Zambia must expand its national installed capacity beyond the current 3,800 MW to meet the rapidly growing demand, which has already surpassed 2,400 MW,” Chikote noted. “This requires continued partnership with independent power producers and a coordinated approach to ensure clarity of roles, responsibilities and project timelines.”
The expansion plan aligns with Zambia’s broader developmental agenda, as outlined in the Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP), which emphasises sustainable industrialisation, infrastructure development and regional energy integration. In this context, the government is also exploring opportunities for renewable energy diversification through solar, wind and geothermal projects, supported by regional collaboration frameworks such as the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP).
Energy experts observe that Zambia’s move towards a more diversified and resilient energy mix reflects a growing continental trend in which African countries are seeking greater autonomy in resource management and sustainable power development. The energy transition narrative across Africa is increasingly characterised by local innovation, inclusive investment models and the recognition of energy as both an economic catalyst and a human development imperative.
While challenges remain in financing, transmission infrastructure and environmental management, Zambia’s strategy demonstrates a pragmatic balance between economic necessity and sustainable development goals. By strengthening partnerships with local and international stakeholders, the country aims not only to meet domestic electricity demand but also to contribute meaningfully to regional energy stability.
The pursuit of energy security in Zambia, therefore, is not simply a technical or economic endeavour. It is part of a broader African story of resilience and agency — one in which nations are redefining their pathways to sustainable development through locally informed, context-specific strategies that reflect both the diversity and unity of the continent’s energy aspirations.
