SUBSCRIBE
PROFILE

Drought in Zambia leads to electricity rationing

In Zambia, a severe drought has led to an energy crisis. Zambia's national electricity company has introduced electricity rationing.

Share:

sécheresse Zambie rationnement d'électricité

Subscribe for unlimited access to all the latest energy sector news.

Over 150 multisector articles and analyses every week.

For less than €3/week*

*For an annual commitment

*Engagement annuel à seulement 99 € (au lieu de 149 €), offre valable jusqu'au 30/07/2025 minuit.

SUBSCRIBE
In Zambia, hydroelectric power, which accounts for over 80% of the electricity supply, is suffering the direct consequences of an unprecedented drought. With the water level in its reservoirs significantly reduced, Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation Limited (Zesco) was forced to ration electricity, limiting supply to just eight hours a day.…

In Zambia, hydroelectric power, which accounts for over 80% of the electricity supply, is suffering the direct consequences of an unprecedented drought. With the water level in its reservoirs significantly reduced, Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation Limited (Zesco) was forced to ration electricity, limiting supply to just eight hours a day. This measure highlights the vulnerability of the country’s energy infrastructure to extreme climatic variations.

Efforts to maintain food production

Faced with this energy crisis, Zesco is working with the armed forces to keep the flour mills, essential to the nation’s food security, up and running. A move that underscores the profound impact of the electricity shortage on various sectors beyond energy, directly affecting the food supply and daily lives of Zambians.

The drought, officially recognized as a national disaster, reveals the challenges Zambia faces in diversifying its energy sources. What’s more, the problem is not confined to Zambia. Neighboring countries, such as Malawi, are also suffering the consequences of the drought on their power generation capacity. A state of natural disaster has been declared in 23 of the country’s 28 districts.

  • Popular on energynews.pro
Occidental and Algeria Launch Two Studies to Assess New Oil and Gas Fields
Washington strengthens ties with Pakistan over minerals and hydrocarbons
RWE posts €2.1bn adjusted EBITDA in H1 2025 despite adverse wind conditions
Acen Australia files federal application for 1,760MWh battery in Queensland
Oman Unlocks $500 Million to Exploit Its Copper and Chrome Reserves
Washington extends emergency orders to strengthen Puerto Rico’s power grid
The U.S. Department of Energy has extended until November the emergency measures aimed at ensuring the stability of Puerto Rico’s power grid against overload risks and recurring outages.
Modi Defends India’s Energy Autonomy Amid U.S. Tariff Pressure
Under threat of increased U.S. tariffs, New Delhi is accelerating its energy independence strategy to reduce reliance on imports, particularly Russian oil.
800-Million-Dollar Agreement: Tsingshan Triggers an Energy Recomposition in Zimbabwe
With a new $800 million investment agreement, Tsingshan expands the Manhize steel plant and generates an energy demand of more than 500 MW, forcing Zimbabwe to accelerate its electricity strategy.
United States: Batteries Offset Solar and Wind Slowdown in 2025
U.S. electric storage capacity will surge 68% this year according to Cleanview, largely offsetting the slowdown in solar and wind projects under the Trump administration.
Massive power outage in Iraq after losing 6,000 MW of capacity
A nationwide blackout left Iraq without electricity for several hours, affecting almost the entire country due to record consumption linked to an extreme heatwave.
US Investigates Solar Imports from India, Indonesia and Laos
Washington launches antidumping procedures against three Asian countries. Margins up to 190% identified. Final decisions expected April 2026 with major supply chain impacts.
Russian oil and gas revenues fall by 27% in July 2025
Revenues generated by oil and gas in Russia recorded a significant decrease in July, putting direct pressure on the country’s budget balance according to official figures.
United States reaches two historic electricity demand peaks in July 2025
U.S. electricity consumption reached unprecedented levels in the last week of July, driven by a heatwave and the growth of industrial activity.
New York Power Authority unveils 7GW plan for public investments in renewable energy
The New York Power Authority targets nearly 7GW of capacity with a plan featuring 20 renewable projects and 156 storage initiatives, marking a new phase for public investment in the State.
French Guiana targets electric autonomy with 120 MW biomass plant by 2026
French Guiana plans to achieve a fully decarbonised power mix by 2027, driven by the construction of a biomass plant and expansion of renewable energy on its territory.
Ember: Slow national ambitions hinder global tripling of renewables
The progress of national targets for renewable energy remains marginal, with only a 2% increase since COP28, threatening the achievement of the tripling of capacity by 2030 and impacting energy security.
Department of Energy report questions economic impact of CO2 and reach of US climate policies
A Department of Energy report states that US actions on greenhouse gases would have a limited global impact, while highlighting a gap between perceptions and the economic realities of global warming.
The MENA renewable energy market will reach USD59.9 bn in 2030 driven by hydrogen and solar
Investments in renewable energy across the Middle East and North Africa are expected to reach USD59.9 bn by 2030, fuelled by national strategies, the rise of solar, green hydrogen, and new regional industrial projects.
Global electricity demand set for robust growth until 2026 despite economic pressures
Global electricity demand is projected to grow steadily through 2026, driven by industrial expansion, data centres, electric mobility and air conditioning, with increasing contributions from renewables, natural gas and nuclear power.
Electricity demand reaches 2,362 MW in Kenya as KenGen focuses on renewables
Kenya registers a historic record in electricity consumption, driven by industrial growth and a strong contribution from geothermal and hydropower plants operated by Kenya Electricity Generating Company PLC.
European industrial energy demand hits new low in 2023
Final energy consumption in the European industrial sector dropped by 5% in 2023, reaching a level not seen in three decades, with renewables taking a growing role in certain key segments.
France: RTE launches public debate over €90 billion grid investment
Réseau de transport d’électricité is planning a long-term modernisation of its infrastructure. A national public debate will begin on September 4 to address implementation methods, challenges and conditions.
Spanish lawmakers reject Pedro Sánchez’s plan to prevent major power outages
The Spanish Parliament has rejected a package of reforms aimed at preventing another major power outage, plunging the national energy sector into uncertainty and revealing the fragility of the government's majority.
The United States sides with Argentina in YPF dispute
The U.S. government has supported Argentina’s request for a temporary suspension of an order to hand over its stake in YPF, a 16.1 billion USD judgment aimed at satisfying creditors.
The United States grants additional 15 months for coal ash management
The United States Environmental Protection Agency extends compliance deadlines for coal-fired power plant operators regarding groundwater monitoring and the closure of waste ponds.
Consent Preferences