Does Zambia have a single-buyer electricity market?

Zambia has been able to successfully attract private participation in every segment of the electricity market. Nevertheless, the market retains its single-buyer model, dominated by the vertically integrated state-owned utility ZESCO. It owns about 75 percent of generation capacity, as well as the majority of transmission and distribution assets.

Does Zambia export electricity?

Electricity imports and exports in GWh (first half of 2022) As mentioned in the previous chapter, Zambia has developed into an export powerhouse in recent years. This is also demonstrated by the data from the first half of 2022.

What makes Zambia's Electricity Market different from other African markets?

A peculiarity of Zambia’s electricity market model compared to other African markets is the involvement of two private players in transmission and distribution services, the Copper Belt Energy Company and the North Western Energy Company, both operating network assets in mining provinces.

How much power does Zambia have in 2021?

Thus, the installed capacity in Zambia in 2021 is composed as follows: 2,705 MW in hydro-power (including 1,080 MW for the Kariba complex and 990 MW for Kafue Gorge), 330 MW in coal, 85 MW in diesel, 110 MW in heavy oil and 89 MW in solar. In total, about 84% of the installed capacity is renewable.

Does Zambia need hydropower?

In recent years, Zambia has been able to improve its electricity supply but remains largely dependent on hydropower. This dependency represents a risk to the security of supply, as evidenced by the return of scheduled load shedding at the end of 2022 until February 2023, due to low water levels on the Zambezi River.

What products does Zambia import?

Zambia’s main import products are refined copper, refined petroleum, crude petroleum, nitrogenous fertilisers and mixed mineral or chemical fertilisers. The main source countries for Zambia’s imports are South Africa, China, United Arab Emirates (UAE), India and DRC.