Zambia already gets **89% of its electricity from low-carbon sources**, an impressive achievement. In 2023, hydropower supplied almost 88% of its electricity, accounting for nearly all its clean electricity, while fossil fuels supplied about 11%, almost entirely from coal. Zambia is also a significant net exporter of electricity, helping neighboring regions lower their emissions. The next challenge is to electrify transport, heating and industry, which will require much more electricity while maintaining this strong low-carbon foundation.

Is Electricity Growing in Zambia?

The 2023 figures show that electricity consumption per person remains far below Zambia’s historic peak, although this comparison alone does not establish whether total electricity consumption is currently growing. Consumption reached about **940 kWh per person**, compared with roughly 1,640 kWh in 1981—a decline of about 700 kWh, or 43%, from that record. Low-carbon electricity generation stood at about 840 kWh per person, against approximately 1,620 kWh in 1981, nearly 790 kWh—or 48%—below its peak. These substantial shortfalls are concerning: Zambia needs sustained growth in clean electricity to support electrification, economic development and emerging demand, including from AI.

Suggestions

To increase low-carbon electricity generation, Zambia should prioritize a substantial expansion of **solar electricity** alongside its established hydropower fleet. Utility-scale solar projects and distributed installations could help supply households, businesses and industry, supported by stronger transmission networks and electricity storage. Zambia should also consider nuclear electricity as a long-term source of dependable, large-scale clean generation, developing the institutions, skills and partnerships needed for a nuclear program. Together, solar, nuclear and hydropower could expand electricity availability while reducing reliance on coal and its associated climate-changing emissions and air pollution.

History

Zambia’s recorded low-carbon electricity history is dominated by changes in hydropower. In the late 1980s, generation fell by 1.3 TWh in 1987 and 1.6 TWh in 1989. The 1990s brought alternating gains and setbacks: increases totaling 2.3 TWh in 1990–1991 were followed by a 2.5 TWh decline in 1992 and a 1.6 TWh recovery in 1993; a 0.8 TWh fall in 1996 was matched by a gain the following year. Growth resumed with a 0.8 TWh increase in 2006, followed by gains totaling 3.6 TWh during 2011–2014. Disappointing declines totaling 3 TWh in 2015–2016 were followed by a 2.7 TWh recovery in 2017–2018, before another 1.4 TWh drop in 2019. Encouragingly, hydropower then increased by 3.3 TWh in 2021 and another 1 TWh in 2022, demonstrating substantial potential for clean electricity growth.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade