China to Help Zambia End Load Shedding

The Chinese Ambassador to Zambia, Han Jing, announced that China will help Zambia with load shedding by signing several cooperation agreements that will generate at least an additional 720 megawatts of electricity. 

Ambassador Han Jing addressed the media during a press briefing on the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and President Hakainde Hichilema’s recent visit to China.

“Quite a number of cooperation documents were signed with major Chinese energy businesses to ensure sustainable power supplies in this country,” said the Ambassador.

The help is only one part of an overarching series of bilateral agreements between China and Zambia which includes 10 cooperation agreements. One of the agreements secured at FOCAC is the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation Limited (ZESCO) and Power China joint framework for the supply, delivery, and installation of a rooftop solar system project in Zambia, which will generate 55,000 kWh of power.

The ambassador explained, however, that the 720 MW excludes rooftop solar systems but incorporates various other energy projects, such as the Kariba North Solar Power Plant and Kafue Gorge Lower Solar Power Plant. 

“Please be assured that China is always ready to take concrete actions whenever Zambia needs help,” the ambassador told Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS).