HH Lines Up China Energy Partnership To Address Shortages

President Hakainde Hichilema has announced a potential partnership with one of China’s leading energy equipment manufacturers in a bid to help resolve the current electricity crisis in Zambia, brought on by the continuing drought.

The President visited TBEA Group in Changji city, Xinjiang Province, on Monday to discuss ways in which the company could partner with Zambian firms to help address the energy deficit.

“We urgently need to find practical solutions to the energy deficit that we are experiencing as a country. Given the effects of climate change we can no longer only depend on hydro electricity,” the President wrote on Facebook.

“We are therefore thrilled at the possibility of partnering with TBEA Group who offer a diversified energy mix to address our current energy deficit,” he added.

The ongoing energy crisis is largely a result of a persistent drought which has struck much of southern Africa and left water levels in the Kariba dam at record lows. Zambia is reliant on hydroelectric power for over 80% of its electricity generation.

TBEA is a leading provider of equipment for solar power plants. Increasing Zambia’s solar energy capacity would make the country more resilient against future shocks to energy supplies and generate economic growth.

In February, workers from PowerChina broke ground at the Kabwe 100MW Solar PV Project, set to be Zambia’s largest solar power plant. The 200MW Siavonga Solar PV projects is also set to come online in 2026.

The President is in China ahead of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, which is due to begin on Wednesday. At the sidelines, Beijing is also hosting a special Zambia Power Development Forum to specifically address Zambia’s electricity shortage.