Zambia, Southern Africa, Hydro energy comprises of 83percent of Zambia’s installed capacity. In 2015, climate change impacts reduced Zambia energy generation capacity by more than 50 percent.
In 2020 Zambia had to load shed for more than 12 hours again when inadequate rainfall again led to a loss of more than 800 MW. Coal came in hardy to stabilize Zambian economy.
“Zambian economy would have collapsed had we not had coal to stabilize energy production” says a Zambian energy expert Johnstone Chikwanda.
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Climate impacts has seen Zambia shift to an energy saving and efficient lighting system saving more than 200 MW. Since 2015 crisis Chikwanda says the country started its energy diversification including considering nuclear deployment for the future.
Also listen to why Africa must do more to push for a climate justice ahead of the 27th UN climate summit (COP27)
Most African countries depend on hydro {highly susceptible to weather and climate impacts} for energy. However, Africa has often been advised to keep their fossil fuels reserve unutilized to reduce further emissions. Why must the energy transition be just to Africa ahead of COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.