Zambia’s endowment with abundant natural resources, including rivers offering significant hydropower potential, requires no further elaboration. Despite this, the country continues to grapple with chronic electricity shortages, which have impeded economic growth and hindered industrial development. Zambia’s power sector challenges are multifaceted—aging infrastructure, over-reliance on hydropower, and climate-induced variability in rainfall, which is becoming more frequent.
Given this context, electricity transmission interconnectors emerge as a promising solution to not only stabilize the sector but also unlock new economic opportunities.
The Current State of Zambia’s Power Sector
Zambia’s power sector is currently in crisis and has frankly been ailing for many years. The illness has been masked in one way or another over many decades. One might say the recent climatic changes affecting electricity generation capacity have done much to strip off those masks. Zambia is predominantly reliant on hydropower, which accounts for over 80% of the total energy mix. While hydropower is a renewable and cost-effective source of energy, its dependence on consistent rainfall makes it highly vulnerable to climate change. Prolonged droughts in recent years have significantly reduced water levels in major reservoirs such as the Kariba Dam, leading to widespread load shedding and power outages, with 2024 being the worst. Sadly, it appears 2025 may likely be no different.
Zambia has limited thermal and solar energy contributions, which remain underdeveloped due to inadequate investment over the years. Aging transmission and distribution infrastructure has exacerbated technical and non-technical losses.
One of the most effective strategies to help Zambia achieve a more diversified and resilient power sector involves integrating the national grid with regional electricity markets through transmission interconnectors.
What Are Electricity Transmission Interconnectors?
Electricity transmission interconnectors are high-voltage lines that connect the power grids of different countries or regions. These interconnectors enable the import and export of electricity, allowing countries to share resources, balance supply and demand, and improve grid stability. For Zambia, interconnectors offer a strategic avenue to:
- Mitigate the risks of hydropower dependency.
- Access surplus electricity from neighboring countries during shortages.
- Export excess electricity during periods of surplus, generating foreign exchange revenue.
- Foster regional energy cooperation and integration.
Current and Planned Interconnectors in Zambia
Existing Interconnectors
Zambia is already part of the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP), a common market and cooperative framework that facilitates electricity trade among member countries. Through the existing interconnectors, Zambia has some power exchange agreements with neighbors like Zimbabwe, Namibia, Mozambique, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). However, these interconnectors have limited capacity, restricting the volume of electricity that can be moved through.
The Zambia – DRC interconnector, for example, has needed expansion or another line put up to increase the carrying capacity and enable higher volumes of power to pass through. The interconnector with Zimbabwe is prone to faults and equally insufficient to carry huge volumes especially now when both Zambia and Zimbabwe are facing the same crisis.
Planned and Proposed Interconnectors
Recognizing the transformative potential of interconnectors, Zambia has embarked on several projects to expand its regional grid connections:
- Zambia-Tanzania-Kenya (ZTK) Interconnector
- The ZTK Interconnector aims to connect Zambia’s grid to East Africa, creating a link between the SAPP and the Eastern African Power Pool. This 400kV transmission line, once completed, will enable electricity trade across a broader regional market. It will also allow Zambia to access geothermal and hydropower from East Africa while exporting surplus electricity to Kenya and Tanzania. Currently, Zambia cannot import power from Tanzania, which is in excess, because there is no transmission link between the two countries. Work on this project has commenced, with Tanzania having made notable progress.
- Zambia-Mozambique Interconnector
- This proposed project seeks to connect Zambia’s grid with Mozambique, a country with significant untapped hydropower potential. Even with what is available from this potential, Mozambique is in an excess position and has been a savior. By linking with Mozambique, Zambia can enhance its capacity to manage periods of drought-induced energy shortages.
- Zambia-Malawi Interconnector
- This 330kV interconnector aims to facilitate power exchange between Zambia and Malawi. The project will not only improve grid stability but also bolster economic ties between the two countries, creating an export market. It will also provide another route for Zambia to access Mozambique’s power as there is already an interconnector between Malawi and Mozambique.
- Zambia-Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Interconnector
- A new interconnector with the DRC is under discussion, focusing on tapping into the DRC’s vast hydropower resources. This project aligns with Zambia’s strategy to enhance its power import capabilities during shortages and explore export opportunities during periods of surplus.
- Kafue-Livingstone-Victoria Falls Interconnector
- This domestic interconnector project is critical for strengthening Zambia’s internal grid, enabling efficient electricity transmission to border points for export.
- Zambia-Angola Interconnector
- Angola is presently among the few countries in Southern Africa with excess power generation. When the agreement was signed this year, it was understood some feasibility work had already been done and the line would be operational in 2027.
Benefits of Interconnectors for Zambia
- Enhanced Energy Security
Interconnectors will allow Zambia to import electricity during periods of low domestic generation, as currently is. For instance, during droughts, Zambia can rely on surplus electricity from countries like Mozambique, which have diverse energy portfolios.
- Revenue Generation
Zambia can generate significant foreign exchange revenue from power exports, which can be reinvested into modernizing the grid, developing renewable energy projects, and reducing the financial burden on ZESCO.
- Grid Stability and Efficiency
Interconnectors provide an avenue for balancing supply and demand in real-time. They reduce the need for expensive backup generation capacity and lower operational costs. Improved grid stability also minimizes the risk of blackouts and enhances industrial productivity.
- Regional Cooperation and Development
As part of the SAPP, Zambia’s active participation in regional energy trade through interconnectors fosters economic integration and strengthens political ties with neighboring countries. Regional energy cooperation also attracts foreign investment, as a stable and interconnected grid is essential for industrial growth.
- Support for Renewable Energy Integration
Interconnectors can facilitate the integration of renewable energy sources into the grid by enabling cross-border balancing. For example, surplus solar energy generated during the day can be exported to neighboring countries, while Zambia imports electricity during peak demand periods.
Challenges and Considerations
While the benefits of interconnectors are substantial, their implementation comes with challenges:
- High Capital Costs
- Building high-voltage transmission lines and associated infrastructure requires significant investment. Zambia must explore financing options such as public-private partnerships and international development funding.
- Regulatory and Policy Frameworks
- Harmonizing regulations and tariffs across borders is critical for the success of interconnectors. Zambia would need to work closely with neighboring countries to establish transparent and mutually beneficial agreements.
- Environmental and Social Impacts
- The construction of transmission lines may have environmental and social implications, including land acquisition and displacement. These issues must be addressed through inclusive and sustainable planning processes.
- Dependence on External Markets
- While interconnectors enhance energy security, over-reliance on electricity imports can expose Zambia to external market risks, such as price volatility and supply disruptions. These pitfalls have been experienced this year, resulting in ZESCO failing to access committed megawatts.
Electricity transmission interconnectors are critical to transforming Zambia’s power sector from a state of crisis to one of resilience and opportunity. By leveraging regional energy trade, Zambia can mitigate the risks of climate-induced hydropower variability, generate revenue, and foster regional cooperation. However, the success of interconnectors hinges on addressing financial, regulatory, and social challenges through strategic planning and international collaboration. With the right investments and policies, Zambia can harness the power of interconnectors to electrify its future and drive sustainable economic growth.
