Energy scenario of Zambia: Prospects and constraints in the use of renewable energy resources

Abstract

The importance of the pattern of energy production, conversion and consumption in ensuring sustainable development necessitates stock taking of national energy supplies and demands so as to enable adequate policy formulation. In this paper, the state of energy resources, supply and demand in Zambia is described and analysed. Wood, the only non-commercial energy resource, constitutes 66% of the energy consumed in the country through its use as firewood in rural areas and as charcoal in urban areas. Hydropower with an existing installed capacity of 1670 MW supplies 94% of the country's electricity and meets 13% of the national energy demand. Shares of electrical energy consumed in mining, industry, household, government and agriculture sectors are 72%, 10%, 8%, 7% and 3%, respectively. With average annual output of about 470,000 tons and vast reserves of over 80 million tons, coal is also abundant and meets 9% of the national energy demand. Mining and industry have nearly equal share to account for over 90% of the domestic coal consumption. Petroleum contributes 12% of the energy demand and is fully imported. Its share in transportation, mining, industry, household, agriculture and services sectors is 49%, 27%, 14%, 4%, 3% and 3%, respectively. With annual average sum of solar radiation amounting to 7.1 GJm −2 for Zambia, solar energy potential is high but scantly exploited. The same is the case with biomass. Wind potential is weak as the average wind speed is 2.5 ms −1. Photovoltaic power is being put to some practical applications. While hydropower will continue to remain the mainstay of Zambian electricity supplies, renewable energy sources need to be exploited for applications in remote areas.