Zambia currently possesses 2,800 MW of installed electricity generation capacity, with 85% of it being hydro-based. However, only 43% of the national population has access to electricity, with a significant urban-rural disparity. The GRZ aims to achieve universal electricity access by 2030, recognizing energy as a crucial driver of social and economic development. Diversifying Zambia’s energy mix has become a key priority, with cases of climate change-induced disruptions to rainfall patterns increasingly leading to extensive load shedding during the dry season across the country. Consequently, the GRZ also plans to place a strong focus on incorporating increased solar, hydro, and thermal power sources through the participation of both state-owned and private sector entities. This SIG aims to support these efforts by strengthening energy system modelling capacity within policy-making institutions and increasing the evidence base for various energy transition scenarios.
Outputs:
- Co-creation: scoping workshop on the development of a Zambian whole energy system model (WESM) using OSeMOSYS beyond a 2030 horizon
- Training: training workshops delivered to government energy planners and Zambia academics on OSeMOSYS modelling
- Process: collaborative research project in the integration of the modelling tools OSeMOSYS and Antares with CIGZ
- Training: co-delivery of training workshop on “Influencing decision making and policy” with government planners and Zambian academics
- Co-creation: co-creation of policy scenarios for low-emission energy planning through key informant interviews and engagement workshops
Current Activities: CCG is currently delivering training on the OSeMOSYS modelling tool to government and academic planners in collaboration with Cities and infrastructure for Growth Zambia (CIGZ). This training will continue over the next 12-18 months to co-create a Zambia OSeMOSYS model with the GRZ that represents future dynamics of the power, transport, and cooking sector in Zambia, beyond 2030. As the model develops from a power system model, other relevant line ministries will be brought into the dialogue. Importantly, the Ministry of Energy plans to form an “Energy Planning Unit” with the support of CIGZ. CCG is currently working closely with CIGZ to supports modellers will be working within the GRZ’s Energy Planning Unit in future.
SIG members: Tec Analytics Ltd; University of Energy and Natural Resources; TU Delft; CIGZambia; The Ministry of Energy; ZIPAR; University College London; University of Oxford