Government Rolls Out Power Expansion Plan to Stabilise Electricity Supply
The government has unveiled a comprehensive power expansion plan aimed at increasing electricity generation capacity, strengthening the national grid, and addressing supply pressures driven by rising demand and climate-related challenges.
Officials say the strategy is designed to ensure reliable electricity for households, businesses, and public institutions while supporting long-term economic growth. The plan focuses on expanding generation capacity, diversifying energy sources, and upgrading transmission and distribution infrastructure to improve efficiency and resilience.
Electricity demand in Zambia has continued to grow as population levels increase, urbanisation expands, and industrial activity intensifies. At the same time, hydropower generation, which remains the backbone of the country’s energy system, has become increasingly vulnerable to variable rainfall patterns. Authorities say these factors have exposed structural weaknesses in the power sector that require decisive and coordinated intervention.
The expansion plan prioritises the development of new generation projects across multiple energy sources. While hydropower remains an important component, government officials say future investments will place greater emphasis on alternative and complementary sources such as solar, thermal, and other renewable technologies. The objective is to reduce overreliance on a single source and ensure stable supply during periods of reduced water availability.
Officials say diversification of the energy mix is central to strengthening energy security. By spreading generation across different technologies, the country can better manage seasonal fluctuations and external shocks. The plan also seeks to position Zambia to take advantage of emerging technologies and private sector investment in the energy sector.
In addition to generation, the strategy includes significant upgrades to transmission and distribution infrastructure. Authorities acknowledge that ageing infrastructure and technical losses have contributed to inefficiencies, resulting in power outages and reduced reliability. Planned investments include strengthening transmission lines, expanding substations, and modernising distribution networks to accommodate increased generation capacity.
The government has also highlighted the role of independent power producers in accelerating implementation of the expansion plan. Officials say partnerships with private investors are critical to mobilising capital, technical expertise, and innovation. Clear regulatory frameworks and predictable policy environments are being prioritised to attract investment and reduce project delays.
Energy planners say the expansion plan is being implemented in phases to align new capacity with demand growth and available financing. Feasibility studies, environmental assessments, and grid integration planning are being undertaken to ensure projects are delivered efficiently and sustainably.
Beyond supply-side measures, the plan incorporates demand management strategies aimed at promoting efficient electricity use. Authorities say reducing wastage through energy efficiency programmes will complement generation expansion and ease pressure on the grid. Public awareness campaigns and incentives for efficient technologies are expected to form part of this effort.
Rural electrification remains a key component of the expansion strategy. Government officials say extending electricity access to underserved areas supports development, improves quality of life, and stimulates local economic activity. The expansion plan seeks to ensure that increased generation capacity translates into broader national access rather than benefiting only urban centres.
The strategy also considers Zambia’s role within the regional power market. By strengthening domestic capacity and grid stability, the country aims to participate more effectively in regional electricity trade, allowing for imports during shortages and exports during surplus periods. Officials say regional integration enhances flexibility and contributes to overall energy security.
Financing remains one of the major challenges facing the expansion plan. Power projects require substantial upfront investment and long-term commitment. Authorities say efforts are under way to combine public funding, private investment, and development financing to support implementation while maintaining fiscal sustainability.
Officials emphasise that the expansion plan is not a short-term fix but a long-term framework intended to guide energy development over several years. They say sustained coordination among government agencies, regulators, utilities, and investors will be essential to achieving the plan’s objectives.
As implementation progresses, government says it will continue to refine timelines and priorities based on demand trends, resource availability, and technological developments. The expansion plan is expected to play a central role in stabilising electricity supply, supporting economic activity, and strengthening Zambia’s energy resilience.
Thank you to Lusaka Times for providing a platform where voices from all corners of the country can be heard. Growing up in the 70s in rural Mufulira, I came to appreciate how newspapers like Daily Mail and the then-handful of independent voices could lift up communities through information and discussion. My father read the papers aloud to us and explained what it all meant; that was inspirational. But as I got older, I also learned to scrutinize how information can be used to shape narratives, sometimes veering into propaganda.
In the 1970s, Zambia had two major state linked daily newspapers, the Times of Zambia and the Zambia Daily Mail, both effectively
government mouthpieces following nationalization. The Times of Zambia (formerly Northern News) was taken over by the ruling UNIP party in 1975, while the Zambia Daily Mail (formerly Central African Mail) became a government mouthpiece after 1965, solidifying their roles as the main media outlets under government control. This history matters because it shows how state influence can shape what people read and believe, especially during critical developments in big projects.
To the authors and policymakers: publish transparent estimates, open data, and independent reviews. Let the public understand not just what will be built, but how it will improve lives across Zambia, including in Mufulira and other rural communities.
Only then can electricity expansion become a genuine national project that serves everyone, rather than a narrative framed to win votes.
In the 4th year. The narrative that we have a short memory is lone gone ba Sir
Why some cant see the real reason for all the nonsense going on in Zambia that has never been seen before in such a scale
What am I supposed to do with this information!?! Praise failures being confirmed everyday or curse the day I was born in the land of work and joy? If you want to be of service to your people, just be honest, diligent and patriotic. You are, after all, in a christian nation……….not!!
Yes, whilst we welcome the plan. What really matters is the strategy in terms of logistics, accountability and timeline to delivery.
Too late the hero
It’s going to be from Hero to zero
Six months to go and we are embarking on a strategy to do this and that. What were you doing for the last 4 years?
LT full of complainers let one of you became a president you’re going to die of blood pressure with citizens expecting more when they barely or contribute nothing to the treasury. You can’t fix a 50 year problem over night and none of the jokers in opposition can fix the root cause, most just want to return to either loot or settle scores
Its Campaign promises reloaded….blah blah blah as if they’re talking to little kids….4 years into office and thats when they’ve realized that time is not on their side….better to start gibberish electricity promises…all this is just hot air
It’s election time everything will be promised.just like someone promised
Us oil from grass.
There is something fishy about the whole power supply, wake up people
Very true. I suspect our market is being shunned due to low prices. But then again, this is where we expected support from the government instead of completely ignoring us. Energy is the driver of any economy and ignoring it is one of the worst choices. Anyway, our votes will speak next year. Better substitute if a player can’t perform.
4 years into office and now they’re promising old promises….i can’t stand Politicians….they’re all full of nonsense
And the so called content creator Jinto Kayumba will be flying drones all over Lusaka…..mixing up with AI videos to fool gullible praise
What are the specifics of this plan? S. Africa also had gone through a period of significant load shedding but now load shedding hardly happens and they did this in less than 50 years lol. There is no load shedding in Namibia. This is not an African problem, it is a Zambian govt problem that they have avoided for several decades.
Only leaders with a vision can come up with such a robust approach. HH is a visionary leader whether like him or not. Let us learn to support good programs.