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First Quantum Minerals (FQM) is hoping to complete 430MW of solar and wind projects in time for the commissioning of a $1.25bn expansion at its Kansanshi mine in Solwezi, North Western province, a company executive told African Energy.

Zambia has “reset” its relationship with China, President Hakainde Hichilema said in late March. This followed resolution of a dispute over funding for the 750MW Kafue Gorge Lower hydroelectric power (HEP) project.

The 750MW total capacity Kafue Gorge Lower’s fifth and final generating machine was commissioned on 24 March, lifting Zambia’s installed power surplus close to a peak of 380MW.

The Zambian authorities have opened talks with oil marketing companies (OMCs) to refinance the $600m they are owed as a result of a now-ended fuel subsidy scheme. African Energy spoke to energy minister Peter Kapala in Lusaka.

Zambian energy minister Peter Kapala has confirmed the time frame for completion of work to convert the Tanzania Zambia Mafuta (Tazama) pipeline from its previous role of handling imports of commingled crude feedstock.

Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema has confirmed plans to press ahead with a previously shelved plan to double output at a coal-fired power plant, with the aim of expanding baseload power generation.

Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) has told African Energy the first details of its ambitious plan to develop 5GW of renewable energy (RE) capacity across sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), with projects in Angola, Uganda and Zambia.

Independent power producer (IPP) Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC) has increased the generation capacity of its Kitwe-based CEC Riverside Solar PV plant. Riverside started in 2018 as a small 1MW pilot plant, and became CEC’s first solar plant as it began a journey into renewable energy development.

Analysis of the latest information on the African Energy Live Data platform shows that over half of the 23.4GW electricity generation capacity expected online by 2027 across southern Africa will come from public procurement rounds, some 12.5GW of it from renewables and hybrid technologies.

Southern Africa’s highest pump prices, with increases averaging 70% over the last year, have accelerated Lusaka’s turn to blended fuels, with petroleum comprising 10% domestically-produced bio-ethanol (known as E10 in Europe) to be sold nationwide from Q3 2023.

Zambian IPP Western Power has confirmed the timeframe for  appointing an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) partner for the construction of the 180MW Ngonye Falls hydroelectric power plant. Six international contractors led by Chinese giants Sinohydro Corporation and China Gezhouba Group Company (CGGC) have been shortlisted for the EPC job.

Zesco is seeking permission to raise electricity tariffs for domestic consumers by a weighted average of 37% this year, in the first of what it hopes will be a series of annual rises over the next five years to help the state power utility move closer to cost-reflective tariffs.

Kabwe-based Lunsemfwa Hydro Power Company (LHPC) has spoken to African Energy about the problems it has faced getting its reservoirs at sufficient levels to support power generation and the steps it is taking to supply power throughout the year.

Plagued by acute shortages of electricity, Zambia and Zimbabwe have turned to independent power producers (IPPs) to cover the shortfalls in power supply.

The Zambian government has said it will not cancel power export contracts with neighbouring countries, despite a big drop in water levels at Lake Kariba, which has led to restrictions being imposed on electricity generation at hydroelectric power (HEP) plants.