Zambia is currently facing its worst power crisis, ever. In 2024, water levels in the Kariba Dam, the country’s largest source of electricity, reached record lows. With power cuts lasting up to 21 hours a day (and even longer), homes and businesses have been brought to a standstill, leaving many Zambians scrambling for alternatives like generators and solar panels. This crisis has made it clear that being overly dependent on hydropower is no longer sustainable.

How Did We Get Here?

For decades, Zambia has relied heavily on hydropower, with the Kariba Dam supplying most of the country’s electricity. However, climate change has brought more frequent and severe droughts, causing water levels to drop dangerously low. With a growing population and rising energy demand, Zambia’s power infrastructure has struggled to keep up. The result? Nationwide power cuts that have disrupted daily life and dealt a heavy blow to the economy.

Exploring Viable Energy Alternatives

The situation is dire, but Zambia has several promising energy alternatives that could help stabilise its power supply. Here are a few realistic options worth considering:

Solar Power
Zambia enjoys about 3,000 hours of sunshine each year, making solar energy an obvious part of the solution. The country has already made progress with projects like the Bangweulu Solar Plant, which feeds electricity into the national grid. Furthermore, construction of a 100MW solar plant is underway in Chisamba and is expected to be completed in 2025.

Expanding solar farms and supporting off-grid solar systems in rural areas could significantly reduce pressure on the main grid while creating new jobs in the renewable energy sector.

Wind Energy
Although wind energy has not been widely explored in Zambia, some regions, particularly the Central and Eastern provinces, have moderate wind potential. Conducting detailed wind assessments could pave the way for wind farms that would diversify the energy mix and add much-needed stability to the power grid.

Zambia's wind energy potential is concentrated in regions with average wind speeds above 6.5 m/s, particularly in the southern and northern provinces. Studies by the World Bank and climate researchers highlight these areas as viable for wind power generation, suggesting wind energy could enhance Zambia's renewable energy mix with appropriate investment.

Biomass Energy
Zambia’s agricultural sector generates large amounts of organic waste, including crop residues, animal waste, and forestry by-products. Converting this waste into biomass energy could be a game changer, especially for rural communities. This approach could also create jobs while reducing waste and greenhouse gas emissions.

Geothermal Energy
Zambia is situated along the East African Rift Valley, which has notable geothermal potential. Kapihshya Hot Springs has already been identified as a potential site for geothermal power generation. If properly developed, geothermal plants could provide a stable and renewable source of energy all year round.

Regional Power Trade
Another immediate solution could be strengthening power trade agreements with neighbouring countries through the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP). Zambia has been importing electricity from South Africa and Mozambique to mitigate domestic power shortages. Expanding these agreements and securing longer-term contracts could provide greater energy stability while domestic power projects are developed.

Importation, however, should only be relied on as a short-term measure and not a long-term solution.

Looking Ahead

To overcome its energy crisis, Zambia must take decisive action. Investing in renewable energy infrastructure, introducing investor-friendly policies, and fostering partnerships with the private sector could accelerate the shift toward energy diversification. The government could also provide tax breaks for companies investing in green energy and subsidise solar installations for households.

The country’s dependence on the Kariba Dam has long been its strength, but climate change has shown just how vulnerable that reliance can be. Zambia’s future lies in embracing its vast renewable energy potential, building a resilient and sustainable energy system for generations to come.