Zambia on Monday launched a 100-megawatt (MW) solar photovoltaic (PV) project, the country's largest grid-connected solar initiative to date, marking an important step toward addressing its ongoing energy deficit.
How much power does Zambia have in 2021?
Thus, the installed capacity in Zambia in 2021 is composed as follows: 2,705 MW in hydro-power (including 1,080 MW for the Kariba complex and 990 MW for Kafue Gorge), 330 MW in coal, 85 MW in diesel, 110 MW in heavy oil and 89 MW in solar. In total, about 84% of the installed capacity is renewable.
Is Zambia a good country for photovoltaic energy?
The country's average daily PV electricity output ranges between 4.54 and 4.85 kWh/kWp, equating to average annual totals of 1658 to 17172 kWh/kWp from the country's six hydropower reservoirs. Indeed, Zambia is one of the countries with a high potential for photovoltaic energy generation; the following have been noted:
The Zambian government has set a target to increase its installed solar and wind capacity to 600 MW by 2030. However, the current installed capacity for solar photovoltaics is only 90 MWp, indicating significant underutilisation of Zambia's potential in the renewable energy sector.
In that case, the PV production is used to reduce the electricity bill and/ or the diesel fuel bill. As of 2022, the cost of diesel in Zambia was around USD 1.5/litre (Global Petrol Prices, sd) and the efficiency of a generator varies between 25% and 35% if operated at at least 30% of its capacity (Skyllas-Ka-zacos, 2012).
Does Zambia have a good solar system?
Zambia benefits from excellent solar resources, with a specific production output between 1,600 and 1,800 kWh/kWp per year. The regions with the best re-sources are the south-west part of the country as well as the region around Lake Bangweulu, east of Mansa.
What are the main sources of power in Zambia?
Other sources of power include coal power plants (0.33 GWp), heavy fuel oil (0.11 GWp), solar energy (0.089 GWp), and diesel-powered plants, which account for the remaining 0.084 GWp Large hydropower projects in Zambia with a combined capacity of more than 2.800 GWp are undergoing feasibility studies on the country's major rivers.