Zambia aims to more than double its installed electricity capacity over the next five years and reach 10 GW by 2031 , relying on new generation, transmission reinforcements and an accelerated expansion of solar power.
The country currently has a total generation capacity of 4722 MW , compared to 3777 MW in 2024. Within that growth, solar energy has already reached 1027 MW installed , exceeding the target set for 2026 by a year ahead of schedule.
This leap makes photovoltaics one of the main drivers of Zambia's electrical expansion, although the roadmap to 2031 must go beyond adding new generation.
The Government seeks to simultaneously coordinate transmission, universal access to electricity, financing and project execution , with the aim of preventing capacity expansion from being limited by network bottlenecks or lack of investment.
Stakeholders are reviewing new generation projects, priority transmission investments, and available financing schemes to identify potential obstacles before they compromise timelines.
The goal is to have a "credible, coordinated and financially viable" roadmap that allows capital to be directed towards the most urgent needs of the system.
The solar expansion already includes new large-scale projects.
One of the most relevant is Kudu Solar, of 200 MW , developed by Axian, which signed a power purchase agreement with Africa GreenCo.
The project is expected to generate around 530 GWh annually , which GreenCo will market to utilities, mining companies, agricultural operators and commercial customers through the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP).
Standard Bank and Stanbic Bank Zambia are supporting the financial process as the project moves towards financial close and construction.
Kudu will be Axian's second solar project in the country, after the acquisition of an 85.6% stake in Bangweulu, of 54.3 MWp .
Solar energy, batteries and new grids to close the gap
The portfolio under development also incorporates storage.
Globeleq is working on 250 MW of combined solar with a 150 MW/600 MWh BESS , while Copperbelt Energy Corporation put into operation this year the Phase II of Itimpi, of 136 MW.
In addition, there is a 100 MW plant developed by Nava and government contracts with five groups to deploy another 312 MW of solar power under the solar energy program for electoral districts.
Growth reinforces the importance of photovoltaic energy within the system, but it also increases the need for infrastructure capable of evacuating and managing this new generation.
Therefore, transmission appears as another key element of the strategy to 2031.
Zambia and Zimbabwe are also moving forward with a new electricity interconnection that could expand regional energy trade through the SAPP and facilitate exchanges between systems with different needs and surpluses.
The challenge remains considerable, as going from the current 4722 MW to 10000 MW in 2031 involves adding more than 5 GW of new capacity in just a few years, while the country seeks to expand access to electricity and strengthen the grid.
With more than 1 GW of solar already installed , new large-scale projects and a portfolio that is beginning to incorporate BESS, Zambia is now shifting its focus from spot generation growth towards a coordinated expansion of its entire electricity system.