Zambia and Zimbabwe Commit to Diversifying Energy Sources Amid Regional Power Security Threats

Strategic Insights -

Zambia and Zimbabwe have collectively agreed to reassess their energy policy, moving beyond reliance on the Kariba and Zambezi River hydroelectric power sources due to the devastating impact of climate change-induced droughts on regional power security. A recent high-level meeting in Harare, where Zimbabwe's Minister of Energy and Power Development, July Moyo, and Zambia's Minister of Energy, Makozo Chikote, converged, aimed to develop collaborative strategies to alleviate dwindling water resources in Kariba and persisting power supply challenges. The scarcity of water in Kariba reservoir has resulted in a power deficit, particularly for Zambia, which relies on hydropower for over 85 percent of its energy supply. Minister Chikote underscored the importance of energy as the backbone of any economy and emphasized the need to find lasting solutions that incorporate innovative energy management strategies.

Key Takeaways:

  • Zambia and Zimbabwe have agreed to diversify their energy sources beyond the Kariba and Zambezi River hydroelectric power sources, shifting focus to the fossil fuels and gas sector to address regional power security threats.
  • Over 85 percent of Zambia's power supply is derived from hydropower, making it exceptionally susceptible to drought, which has resulted in persistent power supply challenges.
  • Minister Makozo Chikote termed energy as the backbone of any economy, indicating its critical role in driving economic growth, particularly in key sectors like mining and agriculture.
  • Minister July Moyo acknowledged the significance of addressing energy security challenges as an opportunity for innovation, emphasizing the importance of adaptation in the face of climate change.
  • Both ministers agreed to deepen cooperation in the fossil fuels and gas sector, exploring alternatives to mitigate the impact of drought on regional power supply.
  • Zambia's reliance on hydropower means it is vulnerable to water scarcity, resulting in critical power supply deficits.
  • Minister Chikote has been dubbed 'Minister of loadshedding' in Zambia, reflecting the severity of power supply challenges.
  • The two ministers recognize that their economies are growing, but this growth is threatened by power security issues, particularly in the mining and agriculture sectors.

Statistics:

  • Over 85 percent of Zambia's power supply is derived from hydropower.
  • The two countries have agreed to diversify their energy sources beyond the Kariba and Zambezi River hydroelectric power sources.
  • Zambia's population can face loadshedding, a formal country-wide power outage, due to severe shortages, and Minister Chikote recently bore the label 'Minister of loadshedding'.

Sources:

  • A high-level meeting in Harare between Zimbabwe's Minister of Energy and Power Development, July Moyo, and Zambia's Minister of Energy, Makozo Chikote.
  • A statement from Minister Makozo Chikote.
  • A statement from Minister July Moyo.