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Zambia has raised its electricity generation capacity target to 11,000 megawatts (MW) by 2031, surpassing its initial 10,000MW ambition, with private-sector investment expected to drive expansion of the energy sector.
Electricity Minister, Peter Kapala, said Government had so far recorded 165 signed Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), reflecting growing private-sector participation in electricity generation.
Kapala was speaking when he appeared before the Parliamentary Committee on Energy, Water Development and Tourism, chaired by Sesheke Member of Parliament Romeo Kang’ombe, to present the ministry’s 2027 Budget Policy Statement.
He said the 2027 Budget would support renewable energy development and the formulation of a National Energy Policy.
The minister acknowledged inadequate funding as one of the challenges facing the ministry but assured the committee that Government remained committed to achieving and potentially surpassing its electricity generation targets.
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During the session, Kang’ombe called for interventions to address challenges facing ZESCO and sought clarification on the performance of the Electricity Open Access Framework.
In response, Kapala said the framework had opened up the electricity market by allowing independent power traders to import and sell electricity, creating opportunities for increased competition and investment.
He also disclosed that Zambia was expected to sign an electricity interconnector agreement with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which would strengthen regional power cooperation.
Kapala further assured the committee that the country had maintained a stable electricity supply, with no load-shedding.
The committee also received submissions on funding for the Rural Electrification Authority (REA), while the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) briefed members on proposed revisions to power quality management guidelines to address emerging developments in the electricity sector.
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