The Zambian Minister of Energy, Makozo Chikote, has invited UK-based firm, Echo Eight Investments Limited, to establish clean energy projects in Zambia.
Zambia’s Ministry of Energy in a social media post said that while speaking at Zambia House in London, Minister Chikote accepted Echo Eight’s proposal to deploy up to 5,000 megawatts of renewable energy within six months of approval.
The Minister, who was in London for the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) Future of Energy Summit, stressed Zambia’s need for investors ready to deliver timely results.
He added that Zambia’s long-term energy target is 9,000 megawatts.
Echo Eight founder, David Green, stated that his company, backed by immediate capital, is ready to install solar, hybrid, and advanced storage systems, featuring patented 3D solar technologies and rooftop wind units.
Zambia is currently on a clock to add 1000 MW of solar energy to its electricity grid by the end of 2025 following a directive by the country’s president.
The Ministry’s Director of Planning and Information, Mwape Chipala said the government is prepared to fast-track processes for credible investors, noting that even a gigawatt of power could stabilize the national grid.
The Ministry demonstrated this by announcing a reduction in the approval period for solar project applications from over six months to just 48 hours in a bid to encourage private sector investment in the country’s renewable energy.
Zambia’s power grid is currently facing strain due to its over-reliance on hydropower which has taken a hit due to droughts.
“Eighty-five percent of our electricity comes from hydropower. Climate change hit us hard, causing water levels in our reservoirs to plummet and forcing the country into severe load-shedding,” Minister Chikote said during the Ministerial Breakfast Roundtable on Clean Energy Supply Chains at the Future of Energy Summit.
This invitation forms part of the efforts by Zambia to end load-shedding (power cuts) and attain energy security by December 2025.
Zambia also seeks to become a regional power hub through new inter-connector projects.
Earlier this month, Zambia launched the Zambia- Tanzania Power Interconnector Project which involves the construction of a 330 kV high voltage transmission line spanning approximately 600 kilometres from the Kabwe region of Zambia to the Tanzanian border.
The project has an estimated completion date of 2027.
