Zambian company developing solar energy projects to address country’s energy shortfall

Zambia’s Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC) expects to significantly expand the country’s renewable-energy capacity, by adding a projected 800-MW-plus of solar energy to the national grid, by the end of 2027. This programme is in line with the country’s efforts to diversify its energy sources in the face of climate change-induced shortfalls in its hydropower generation.   Zambia has always had predominantly green energy, in the form of hydropower from the Kariba dam. When the dam is full, Zambia’s share of the electricity generated is 3 GW, while the country’s demand is about 2.5 GW. But growing aridity in the Kafue and Zambesi rivers’ catchment areas has resulted in low dam levels, cutting its generating capacity significantly. Currently, Zambia is suffering from a generation shortfall of some 1.3 GW.