ZESCO projects up to 800MW Solar boost by 2025

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ZESCO has projected that Zambia will have an additional 500 to 800 megawatts of solar energy capacity by the end of 2025.

ZESCO Acting Managing Director, Ernest Banda, says the country's renewable energy prospects are promising, particularly as rainfall forecasts indicate a significant increase from October through April 2026, an outlook expected to benefit hydro and renewable energy generation.

Speaking during a tour of the Itezhi-Tezhi Power Station by Energy Minister Makozo Chikote, Mr. Banda stated that the anticipated energy capacity expansion is expected to drastically reduce the current load-shedding schedule, which has reached up to seven hours daily.

He has explained that the additional capacity will enable ZESCO to better meet electricity demand by incorporating more reliable sources that do not depend solely on sunlight or river water levels.

Mr. Banda said currently, several energy projects are underway to ensure a consistent power supply, reinforcing the commitment to resolving load-shedding challenges.

He also emphasized the importance of clear and accurate communication about rainfall trends and their implications for energy generation, noting that the shift to alternative energy sources like solar power requires time and strategic investment.

And Mr. Chikote has reaffirmed that the government, through ZESCO, will continue overseeing the implementation of energy projects with a view to meeting targets set for the 2025 energy season.

Mr. Chikote has urged the media to report responsibly and avoid spreading misinformation and encouraged journalists to engage experts and report on the substantial steps the government is taking to improve the nation’s energy sector.

He added that the ongoing implementation of solar projects cannot be achieved instantly, citing the soon-to-be-commissioned 100MW Chisamba project as an example.

“We are now trying to tap into alternative sources of energy to address the power deficit facing the country. However, it is important to understand that solar power plants take time to implement. From now until December 2025, we will be monitoring the progress of these projects. We are not going to remain stagnant,” he said.

Meanwhile Itezhi-Tezhi Power Corporation Head of Operations, Richard Kapilya, has disclosed that the Itezhi-Tezhi power station narrowly avoided a shutdown due to alarmingly low water levels in the dam.

Currently, the station is generating approximately 50 megawatts of electricity less than half of its installed capacity of 120 megawatts.

Mr. Kapilya has revealed that the dam's water level stands at 1,021 cubic meters per second, which falls below the minimum operational threshold of 1,030 cubic meters per second required for optimal power generation.

Ends……………………………..


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