Lusaka energy storage power export

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.

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.

Private companies also trade in electricity in Zambia. The largest of these, Copperbelt Energy Corporation Plc (CEC), buys electricity primarily from ZESCO and sells it to the various mines in the Copperbelt Province. It also operates its own generators, most of which run on fossil fuels.

Africa Clean Energy Technical Assistance Facility. (2022). Customs Handbook for Solar PV Products in Zambia. Bloomberg New Energy Finance. (2022, December 6). Lithium-ion Battery Pack Prices Rise for First Time to an Average of $151/kWh.

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.

For German and European service providers active in the energy sector, Zambia presents significant potential for business development. There are clear needs across the solar energy and storage value chain, including pro-ject development and financing, equipment manufacturing, system inte-gration and contracting.