Roundtables Discussion Part I

Zambia Energy Roundtable

Zambia is in the midst of an acute power crisis, driven by exceptionally low water levels due to drought, which is severely impacting the largely hydropower dependent (83% of the energy mix) country’s economy. As of July 2024 Zambia is facing a daily energy deficit of up to 1,145MW, with loadshedding - already at 12 hours per day - set to rise to 17 hours from September.

This is having a crippling impact on sectors throughout the economy, including Zambia’s large and strategically important mining sector, where major firms have been asked to reduce normal power consumption by up to 40%. This threatens ambitious targets to triple copper production by the end of the decade, and to establish Zambia as a regional hub for critical minerals, which are essential for the global green transition.

The crisis has highlighted the urgent need to diversify the country's energy supply, with steps being taken to ramp up the development of IPPs and renewable projects, aimed at tackling the current emergency, and future proofing the country against repeated crises.

The government is implementing efforts to accelerate the development of projects, and is actively seeking international investors to support the country in tackling the current power crisis.

This session will bring together key stakeholders from across the power sector, including financiers, investors, senior policymakers, and developers, to identify and explore concrete and practical steps to invest in, and develop Zambia’s power sector. The roundtable will include experts and practitioners on the ground, as well as international investors, providing a platform for actionable dialogue.