By Kennedy Phiri and Freddie Clayton • November 21, 2024 • Published at the Yale school of the Environment •
In Zambia, the sun rises each day on a nation grappling with its worst energy crisis in decades. An unprecedented drought has hit Zambia hard, drying up hydropower reservoirs and causing the worst blackouts in living memory. This year, Zambians have faced power cuts lasting up to 21 hours a day, crippling businesses and daily life. With 83% of our electricity coming from hydropower, the drought has exposed just how vulnerable our energy system is to climate change.
The unprecedented drought has crippled the country’s hydropower-dependent electricity supply, plunging millions into darkness and disrupting lives and businesses. Yet, amid the challenges, Zambia is turning to a renewable solution that could transform its energy landscape: solar power.
The Blackout Blues
Take Emmanuel Simukoko, a shopkeeper in Lusaka’s Kabwata neighborhood, who says, “I’ve lost 30% of my business. I had to close early, spend all my money on candles, and take extra piecework just to survive.” Stories like his are all too common, with businesses across Zambia struggling to stay afloat.
“When the lights are off, people think my shop is closed,” says Emmanuel Simukoko, a grocery store owner in Lusaka’s Kabwata suburb. For Emmanuel, unreliable electricity has meant slashed incomes and rising costs. “I’ve lost about 30 percent of my business,” he laments, explaining how the long power cuts—sometimes lasting up to 21 hours—have forced him to close early and spend his earnings on candles.
This story is all too familiar across Zambia. Businesses reliant on refrigeration, lights, or machinery are struggling, and families are unable to access basic services. The blackouts have not only dimmed homes but also the nation’s economy, costing Zambia an estimated $1.3 billion—about 5 percent of its GDP. The drought, compounded by climate change and exacerbated by this year’s El Niño, has exposed the fragility of Zambia’s over-reliance on hydropower.
A Shift Towards Solar
For decades, Zambia relied on its abundant rivers and lakes for electricity, with hydropower providing 83 percent of its energy. However, as the drought dried up reservoirs like Lake Kariba—the lifeline for the Kariba Dam, which usually supplies a third of the nation’s electricity—the need for alternative sources became glaringly urgent.
With the effects of climate change becoming more frequent and severe, Zambia is making a bold shift toward solar energy. Solar currently contributes just 0.7% to the national grid, but several large projects are underway to change that.
Key developments include:
- A 1,000 MW solar deal with Canada’s SkyPower Global, enough to power 4 million homes.
- A 60 MW solar plant in Kitwe to support copper mining operations.
- A 100 MW solar facility under construction in Chisamba, expected to be completed within two years.
- Partnerships with China and Turkey to develop multiple solar projects adding up to hundreds of megawatts by 2026.
This crisis has catalyzed a “solar explosion” in Zambia. The government has embraced solar energy as a key pillar of its future energy mix. In March, Zambia signed a landmark agreement with SkyPower Global to generate 1,000 megawatts of solar energy, enough to power four million homes. Later, the nation commissioned a 60-megawatt solar plant in Kitwe to support its vital mining sector, with several other projects in the pipeline.
By 2030, the government aims to generate at least 30 percent of Zambia’s energy from non-hydro renewables. If successful, these projects could increase the nation’s power capacity by more than a third, supplying electricity to off-grid areas and accommodating its rapidly growing population.
Challenges on the Path to Solar
While solar energy offers a glimmer of hope, challenges remain. High costs make solar panels and batteries inaccessible for many. Farmers, for instance, can’t afford solar solutions for irrigation, while households rely on smaller solar kits to get by. There’s also concern about solar’s dependency on weather and the difficulty of integrating it into Zambia’s aging grid.
Emmanuel’s solar light, which also charges his phone, cost him $27.50—a significant expense for small business owners already struggling to make ends meet. Farmers like Moses Fwanyanga, who runs a fish farm near Lake Kariba, face even steeper costs, with solar systems capable of powering water pumps priced as high as $10,000.
Logistical hurdles also slow progress. Most solar equipment is imported, with panels and batteries often taking months to arrive. The government has taken steps to make solar more accessible by scrapping import duties and VAT on solar products. As a result, demand for solar solutions has skyrocketed, with citizens buying panels and batteries “like hot cakes.”
Building a Resilient Energy Future
Experts argue that Zambia needs a diversified energy portfolio to weather future crises. “Solar is a good backup, but it’s not enough,” says Kabwe Mubanga, a lecturer at the University of Zambia. He highlights the need for a mix of solar, wind, geothermal, and even coal to ensure energy resilience. The government is exploring geothermal hotspots and planning new hydroelectric plants in the wetter north, but these efforts will take time.
Meanwhile, Zambia’s reliance on charcoal for cooking during blackouts has led to deforestation, complicating the country’s environmental goals. Balancing immediate energy needs with long-term sustainability will require careful planning and international support.
A Bright Future
Despite the obstacles, Zambia’s pivot to solar is a critical step towards energy security. Projects under development today will not only help alleviate current power shortages but also position the nation as a leader in renewable energy across Africa.
For Zambians like Emmanuel, solar energy is already making a difference. “When you don’t have electricity, everything is a challenge,” he says. “With solar, I can keep a light on.” As Zambia invests in the power of the sun, there’s hope that the lights will shine brighter in homes, businesses, and communities across the country.
🌞 Join the Conversation: What are your thoughts on Zambia’s transition to solar energy? Have you tried solar solutions in your home or business? Share your story in the comments below!