By Douglas Leroy Namafente
It’s not all about ZESCO anymore. Comparing past years to today reveals significant changes in Zambia’s energy landscape. During the UNIP era, even during droughts, we didn’t face power problems. Why? One major factor was the lower demand for electricity. However, today, with a growing population that has learned to build houses, lodges, bars, and other infrastructure, and with increased industrialization, the demand for power has surged. Unfortunately, there has been insufficient expansion of power generation capacity from the utility company. While the MMD government did help ZESCO, If they did, it was insignificant; the PF largely invested and tried, and the UPND did its part to maintain progress and completion. Politics aside, this is about Zambia. This imbalance of high demand and low supply, coupled with frequent droughts, has resulted in power shortages.
We have every right to protest and challenge the current load management issues. However, we must also come together and help those in authority develop solutions to reduce our dependency on hydropower. By diversifying our energy sources, we can create a more resilient and sustainable power supply for Zambia. Let’s explore the pros and cons of hydropower and the potential benefits of incorporating nuclear, wind, solar, and coal energy into our energy mix.
Pros and Cons of Hydropower in Zambia
Hydropower is a renewable and sustainable energy source with low operating costs once operational. It can provide a steady supply of electricity under optimal conditions and remains the unrivaled power source today. There is plenty of water available despite the drought; for now, we understand the low levels in Kariba, but does it have to be Kariba only as the source of electricity generation? We have not done enough to improve the ways in which we harvest its electrical potential. This is why we are importing power from Mozambique after the same water bypasses us in Zambia. Similarly, we are building a power line to get electricity from Tanzania, which also relies on hydropower. Tanzania has even had to shut down some hydro plants due to overproduction. Hydropower still has plenty of potential to serve us for many more years. It’s up to us in Zambia to improve our methods and contribute to the power basket.
Local companies can contribute to alleviating the power shortage through proactive efforts and personal initiatives. I also know there are calls and suggestions for us Zambians to invest in our own household generation and sell or lend extra power generated to ZESCO, benefiting us when we are low. This sounds good, but its feasibility, sustainability, and implementation need thorough consideration. Grants spoken about by NGOs are available in Zambia but are mostly selectively given to companies of foreign origin based in Zambia or foreign nationals here. Most Zambian operators are left out despite many pronouncements that foreign aid is available for drought relief programs. This drought relief program is known, but no one has stepped forward to help us scale up production and provide the much-needed electricity relief for the nation. Meanwhile, load shedding continues.
Hydropower, however, is highly susceptible to droughts, which are becoming more frequent. The construction of dams disrupts ecosystems and displaces communities, and building hydropower plants requires significant capital expenditure.
Exploring Alternative Energy Sources
To address the limitations of hydropower, Zambia should consider integrating nuclear, wind, solar, and coal energy into its power grid. Each of these alternatives offers unique advantages and challenges.
Nuclear power produces large amounts of electricity, meeting high demand effectively, and is a low-carbon option, reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, building and maintaining nuclear facilities is expensive, and there are significant safety concerns related to accidents and nuclear waste management.
Wind energy is environmentally friendly and sustainable, with technological advancements making it more affordable. However, wind energy production can be unpredictable due to varying wind patterns, and wind turbines can be noisy and affect the landscape’s aesthetics.
Solar energy is abundant in Zambia, ideal for power generation due to high solar irradiance. Solar energy systems are scalable, ranging from small to large installations, and require minimal upkeep with low operating costs. However, the initial installation costs can be high, and solar power is dependent on daylight and weather conditions.
Coal energy provides a steady and reliable source of electricity, with well-established technology and relatively low costs compared to other energy sources. However, coal-fired power plants are a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, and coal mining and combustion have significant environmental impacts, including air pollution and habitat destruction. Additionally, coal is a finite resource that will eventually deplete.
A Call to Action
“I urge Zambians to adopt a mindset of rationing and help reduce the use of available power by switching off gadgets when not necessary and using gas stoves for cooking when possible. Let’s look at this issue holistically and not politicize it. Yes, politics have played a role in ZESCO’s issues in the past, but how long will we go on without offering solutions and addressing the current situation? I urge politicians to put the past behind and unite for the present and future natural calamities.”
Another long-term solution is to help bring back rains by massive tree planting. Some might say, “How will they grow without water?” We can still try. The little rains we get in some areas of Zambia can help—every drop counts. Water harvesting without disturbing rivers is also an option.
Recently, the Engineering Institution of Zambia (EIZ) met with a local company, Heavy Duty Solutions Zambia Limited, run by Mr. Brian Ngoma, which can produce power using simple flowing rivers if funding is made available. This innovative approach could also contribute to reducing our dependency on ZESCO. I believe EIZ can be a vital part of the solution.
The current energy crisis in Zambia, exacerbated by reliance on hydropower and frequent droughts, necessitates a shift towards a diversified energy portfolio. By incorporating nuclear, wind, solar, and coal energy, Zambia can reduce its vulnerability to power shortages and ensure a stable, sustainable energy supply. Remember, this may not be a quick fix to what we are going through, but it may work in the now and years to come ahead. Policymakers and stakeholders must collaborate to develop and implement an energy strategy that leverages the strengths of each alternative energy source, ensures safety, and considers long-term cost implications. Through these efforts, we can build a more resilient and reliable power infrastructure for the future of Zambia.
Douglas Leroy Namafente, a concerned citizen.
Someone says the Chinese will tap the Luapula waters into the Kafue…. logistics aside even the Luapula can dry up just like the other rivers. Why not built a hydropower plant on the Luapula river itself or better still solarize the whole system.
Luapula is part of the Congo River Basin and any action that diverts water from the Luapula will need to consider the views of DRC according to international law. The Congolese would never agree to diverting water from the Luapula! It was another brain fart to suggest the diversion of water. Two sites have already been identified at Mumbotuta and another site downstream by other studies.
Very good article
Well spoken bwana,but the problem which is there is funding of the projects.We have people who have money here in Zambia but they don’t want to invest in power generation sector yet they are the one complaining about the all system.
Just realign the budget and put solar plants in every province or district.Even if they are small
As long as they contribute to the grid.lastly
Cancel CDF for two years and divert this
Money to build small solar power stations.
Unfortunately CDF has got so many riddles.
Zambia would have been far by now interms of electricity. Zambia is a small nation with small population, poor, no modern cities, not industrialized to choke electricity… shallow minds have been ruling since independence
Thank you for explaining issues so well on a subject most of us are ignorant about but pretend to understand. We are in this quagmire because we are clueless, including our leaders.
Address the real issue of incompetence first before you start thinking about other sources of energy. Zambians tend to run away from simple things widely available on their door step. We would rather beg the West or East to implement these projects for only for us to run them down. Zambia is one of the best drained country in the world. We have almost all the water features apart from the sea. We just need to get serious and stop this dependancy syndrome.
The problem with such topics is that even my grandmother has a solution for the energy crisis in Zambia. The author has not elaborated his expertise on this topic, but judging by the content of this article, he is another UPND praise singer trying to shift blame away from the mismanagement of energy by the current regime. If he he was an expert he would know that nuclear energy is not a viable option for Zambia at the moment nor is wind. There is nothing wrong with the current hydroelectricity installations. however there is a need for diversity of primary energy. An energy Indaba is required inviting all stakeholders to the table.
Read to understand he clearly was looking at the issue critically whilst being careful not involve politics.
The problem we have here is with leadership. If you have a bunch of people making decisions that affect other people with engagement of all stakeholders, you are liable to have problems such as the energy crisis or the maize-gate scandal. They are quick to pull the trigger on these activities and then come to you with the associated consequences. They do not want and will not take responsibility. In South Africa, Thabo Mbeki took responsibility for the electricity crisis and admitted that the ANC never listened to the experts! They also blamed the experts saying ” You did not tell us loud enough!”. Zambia can start with stopping all energy exports and call in the energy experts for solutions. By the way the electricity crisis in SA seems to be over now after efforts for many years.
………
Zambians have been told by the solar manufactures in china that it is impossible to have a solar manufacturing industry in zambia……….
And they belive…….
ZESCO TOP MANANAGEMENT FAILED TO HEED THE WARNING SIGNS YEARS AGO
Good article, I would concur with more investment in solar ahead of coal as we innovate away from traditional energy sources like hydra and and fossil derived energy.
The narrative that previous regimes over invested in hydroelectricity is totally wrong and I do not understand why it has taken traction. Politicians will always try to blame the previous regimes and it is sad when so-called experts like the author of this article buy in the false narrative. In fact we do not have enough hydroelectricity capacity and we should build more. Zambia has about 6 GW of hydroelectricity in reserve. We can easily increase our coal power generation to about 1 GW. Renewables have a role to play but they are still too costly
“The article does not say so. Actually, by all means, the writer avoided politics. Even the mention of those parties was mockery, in my opinion. It’s a thought meant to provoke you into giving the other side of the story. Tell your story and what you think.”
@ Deja Vu
luapula river only has the potential for mid sized “run of river power” generation up to max 1000 MW(3 sites in total-see research by JICA). The Kafue cascade on the other hand has a total of 1870 MW in hydro power stations already constructed. Its a very wise idea to divert some of the luapula waters to the Kafue river.
@Maria
Linking rivers is nothing new and the Indians are pioneers at these projects. The DRC will actually benefit greatly from this project as Zambia can supply them power at a discounted rate in exchange for water. Currently DRC imports close to 150MW from Zambia every year.
FYI, Malaysia sells raw water to Singapore and vice versa Singapore resells treated water to Malaysia. Zambia and DRC can sign a similar water purchase agreement.
The luapula/chambeshi catchment has a capacity of 15.7 billion m3/year almost double what is available in the Kafue basin r(see JICA research). Just diverting 3 billion m3/year to Kafue will cover the 750MW deficit Zambia currently has. Its just that such projects are very costly.
This is foolishness of the highest order to divert water from the Luapula! The Chambishi and Luapula are part of the Congo basins. The water after leaving Lake Mweru pours into the Lualaba River and into the Congo River. Congo would go to war with Zambia over the war. Also we do not know the environmental impact of such bad decision. The answer really is to construct two hydroelectric stations on the Luapula. The sites have already been identified and the feasibility studies have been done. For your information many dams in the US are being decommissioned due to environmental reasons. Hydroelectricity dams have a huge impact of the environment which affluent nations can not bare
For Luapula, the best is not to disrupt the flow of water which is mainly – from Ng’na river gets water from Mwalu watipa through the falls to the Lupula river which takes water back. We should make more generation points