Zambia is experiencing an unprecedented energy crisis due to falling water levels in its hydroelectric power stations, which produce most of the country’s electricity, while drought persists in this southern African country, affecting businesses and households who are left without electricity for days on end. Millions of people across the country experience up to 21 hours of load shedding on an average day.
As Zambia grapples with its worst drought in 20 years, businesses and households face several days without electricity due to falling water levels at the hydroelectric power stations that generate most of the country’s electricity. A daily shortfall of 1,000 megawatts has left many Zambians in the dark for up to 20 hours a day, and experts believe that this severe energy crisis could worsen Zambia’s already fragile economy and lead to massive job losses.
I used to sell frozen water and cold drinks but can’t anymore…our school going children are affected. They can’t study in the dark and rely on mobile phones for research which they can’t use because of the outages.
Agnes Mwale, Businesswoman
Zambia’s sole public power utility, the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation, revealed on 16 September 2024 that it does not have enough electricity to supply all hospitals. Analysts say that although the drought triggered the current crisis, the country is suffering the consequences of under-investment in alternative power generation.
We did not respond early to the need to diversify our generation because the writing was already on the wall, that the days of hydro are numbered as far back as 15 years.
Johnston Chikonda, Energy Expert
Hydropower accounts for about 83 per cent of Zambia’s energy mix. The country is urgently pursuing independent renewable energy projects and imports from neighboring countries to boost supply. According to the United Nations, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi are among the countries in southern Africa most affected by the regional drought that began in early 2024.