What is the energy sector in Zambia?

ZAMBIA’S ENERGY SECTOR OVERVIEW Zambia’s energy resources include electricity (hydropower), petroleum, coal, biomass and renewable energy. It is only petroleum which is wholly imported in the country. The Energy Sector in Zambia consists of three main sub-sectors namely: Electricity, Renewable Energy and Petroleum. ELECTRICITY SUB-SECTOR

How much electricity did Zambia export in 2021?

From 2021 to 2023, Zambia exported 5479 GWh of electricity above the average export levels of the previous five years, using an estimated equivalent of 29.1 billion m³ of Kariba Dam water – equivalent to 45% of storage capacity at Kariba Dam.

How can Zambia improve energy security and preserving water resources?

Conclusion To mitigate future risks, Zambia must adopt a multi-pronged strategy to ensure energy security while preserving water resources. Investments in alternative energy sources such as solar power should be accelerated to reduce dependency on hydropower.

How much electricity does Zambia produce?

Zambia has 2,800 MW of installed electricity generation capacity, of which 83 percent is from hydro, nine percent from coal, five percent from heavy fuel oil, and three percent from solar. The mining sector is the country’s largest power consumer, using 51 percent of total generated electricity, followed by the domestic sector at 33 percent.

Is Zambia a regional energy supplier?

Electricity exports, meanwhile, have exhibited a less consistent pattern being roughly steady up to 2020 but have surged sharply in recent years. From 2020 onwards, electricity exports have grown by an average annual rate of 40%, signalling Zambia’s increasing role as a regional energy supplier.

Does Zambia's energy sector face a balancing act?

By Dr Roy Moobola Zambia’s energy sector faces a delicate balancing act. While increased electricity exports have earned vital foreign currency, such gains are juxtaposed against the real threat of unsustainable water usage at Kariba Dam.