Zambia Faces Unprecedented Power Crisis Amid Severe Drought and Reliance on Hydro Energy

Despite having the mighty Zambezi River and the massive hydro-powered Kariba Dam, Zambia is currently facing the worst electricity blackouts in its history.

The situation is so dire that some cities and towns are without electricity for up to three consecutive days, with residents feeling fortunate if the lights come on for just an hour or two. These power cuts have shocked the 43% of Zambians connected to the grid, who have always taken electricity for granted.

The crisis stems from one of the worst droughts in decades, caused by the El Niño weather phenomenon, which has severely impacted Zambia’s ability to generate power. With many relying on water reservoirs like lakes and rivers for up to 84% of the country’s electricity, the drying conditions have drastically reduced the nation's power output. Only 13% of Zambia’s electricity comes from coal, while contributions from solar, diesel, and heavy fuel oil account for just 3%.

In some areas, bars and restaurants are filled with people simply trying to charge their phones amid the loud noise of generators. There’s also a growing business for people making money by charging others' phones due to the widespread outages.

Compounding the crisis, Zambia's only coal-fired power plant, Maamba Energy, was undergoing maintenance, limiting its capacity. On Wednesday, there was some relief when Energy Minister Makozo Chikote announced the plant was back to full operation, promising Zambians at least three hours of electricity per day.

President Hakainde Hichilema declared the drought a national disaster in February, but the government's reliance on the Kariba Dam has limited its ability to resolve the energy crisis. Financial constraints have also hindered the government’s efforts to import electricity, as suppliers demand upfront payments. However, Zambia has begun importing power from Mozambique and South Africa to ease the situation, particularly for the mining sector, a major source of foreign currency.

The Kariba Dam, built on the Zambezi River in the 1950s, is home to Zambia’s largest underground power station. However, due to the drought, only one of the six turbines is currently operational, producing just 7% of the dam’s installed 1,080 MW capacity.

Engineer Cephas Museba, a 19-year veteran at Zesco, said he had never seen water levels at the Kariba so low. The lack of rain has led to widespread power shortages, affecting every aspect of life and business. Some companies have reduced their operating hours and are laying off staff. Even finding basic necessities like bread has become difficult, as bakeries struggle with the high cost of running generators.

While the government has installed large generators in some markets, government offices, and hospitals, many Zambians are still facing severe challenges. For example, patients requiring dialysis—who need electricity for up to three hours a day—often face power cuts that last for days, making it difficult to access necessary treatments.

In many homes, refrigerators are failing due to prolonged outages, leading to spoiled food and extra expenses. Buying perishable items in bulk is now nearly impossible for many households, tightening already strained budgets.

To cope, the government has encouraged the use of solar power and removed import taxes on solar equipment. However, many cannot afford solar panels, and for those who do, the panels often produce insufficient power during overcast days. Families are turning to gas stoves for cooking and heating water, but high demand has led to gas shortages, forcing many to rely on charcoal, despite its negative environmental impact.

The power crisis has even affected water supplies. Many homes that rely on boreholes for water are now struggling as the pumps require electricity to function. Some schools are asking children to bring five liters of water daily to avoid a sanitation crisis, and there are fears of waterborne diseases like cholera, which has already affected the country this year.

Frustration is mounting among Zambians, with many blaming the blackouts on the failure of successive governments to plan ahead. In response, President Hichilema's administration has pledged to diversify the country's energy sources. Zesco is investing in solar power and other renewable energies to reduce the country’s reliance on hydroelectric power to 60%. Coal is also part of the energy mix, with plans for Zambia’s second coal-fired power plant approved in July.

While coal is a highly polluting energy source, the government believes it has little choice but to press ahead to avoid similar crises in the future.