ENERGY Minister Makozo Chikote has revealed that water inflows into the country’s hydro reservoirs remain significantly below average, leading to continued shortfalls in electricity generation despite a better rainfall season than last year.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/15QFq1wPDD/?mibextid=oFDknk
Delivering a ministerial statement to Parliament yesterday, Chikote said that as of May 30, 2025, Zambia’s electricity generation averaged 1,806 megawatts (MW) against a national demand of 2,400MW, resulting in a power deficit of 594MW.
“Although the 2024/2025 rain season was an improvement over the previous year, the water levels in our reservoirs are still lower than historical averages required for optimal power generation,” he said.
He also presented figures showing that key hydropower stations such as Kariba North Bank, Kafue Gorge Upper and Lower and Itezhi Tezhi had recorded slight gains in power output compared to 2024, but these increases were still not enough to fully meet the demand.
Chikote said Zesco had maintained a load shedding schedule that provides most households with an average of seven hours of electricity per day to manage the shortfall.
He added that essential sectors such as mining, health, water utilities, and irrigation based agriculture were being prioritised to protect the economy from grinding to a halt.
Meanwhile, Chikote raised concern over the growing threat of vandalism, describing it as a criminal act that is undermining efforts to stabilize the power supply.
He revealed that between January and May this year, Zesco recorded 1,156 incidents of vandalism involving its infrastructure, leading to losses estimated at K31 million.
“This criminal behaviour doesn’t just drain public funds, it causes serious disruptions in electricity distribution and affects people’s lives,” he said.
The government, he noted, has since stepped up surveillance, community sensitisation and reinforcement of power installations in a bid to protect national assets.
He issued a stern warning to those involved in such activities, saying the law would catch up with them.
As part of President Hakainde Hichilema’s goal to deliver 1,000MW of solar energy by the end of 2025, several large scale projects are being implemented across the country.
A 100MW solar farm in Chisamba has already been completed and is awaiting commissioning.
Other projects expected to be completed before the end of the year include the 25MW Solar Century in Serenje, the 50MW Mansa Solar plant, the 50MW Cooma Solar project in Choma and the 136MW Itimpi Solar Phase II in Kitwe.
Smaller projects in areas like Shang’ombo, Kasupe and several GETFiT funded sites are also scheduled for rollout in the coming months.
Additional micro generation schemes involving independent power producers are expected to contribute about 95MW by year-end.
Looking beyond 2025, Chikote said government remained focused on increasing power generation through diversified sources.
Several medium term projects have already been lined up for 2026, including an expansion of the coal-fired plant in Maamba, a second phase of the Chisamba solar facility, and off grid rural electrification projects using renewable energy.
“Under the clear guidance of President Hakainde Hichilema, we are taking bold and effective steps to deliver energy security, economic growth and better lives for all Zambians,” he said.
By Catherine Pule
Kalemba, June 13, 2025
