ZESCO Charts Bold Path Toward Regional Energy Leadership

Managing Director Outlines Ambitious Renewable Energy Strategy at Invest Zambia Conference

ZESCO Limited is positioning itself as a transformative force in Southern Africa's energy landscape, with Managing Director Engineer Justin Loongo unveiling an ambitious renewable energy strategy that promises to address Zambia's power deficit while establishing the country as a regional energy hub. Speaking at the recently concluded Invest Zambia International Conference in Lusaka, Engineer Loongo outlined a comprehensive approach that leverages public-private partnerships and innovative financing mechanisms to deliver over 9,000MW of new generation capacity through signed Power Purchase Agreements with independent power producers. This strategic vision encompasses diverse renewable energy sources including solar, hydro, wind, and geothermal projects, demonstrating ZESCO's commitment to building a resilient and sustainable energy future for Zambia.

Under Engineer Loongo's stewardship, ZESCO is tackling its immediate power challenges through targeted short-to-medium term solutions that directly benefit consumers and businesses across the country. The corporation's Solar Rooftop Solutions program aims to deliver 345MW of distributed solar capacity to 130,000 customers, representing 10 percent of ZESCO's customer base, while the Green Cities Initiative will bring 57MW of clean energy to 15 towns at a cost of US$45 million. The Presidential Solar Initiatives, targeting 400MW of capacity with 62MW already under signed agreements, will power critical infrastructure including water pumping stations on the Copperbelt and first-level hospitals and clinics in Lusaka Province. These initiatives reflect Engineer Loongo's pragmatic approach to addressing power supply constraints while building the foundation for long-term energy security.

The Managing Director's vision extends beyond Zambia's borders, positioning the country as a critical energy connector in Africa through massive transmission infrastructure investments totaling over US$850 million. Projects including the Pensulo-Mansa Transmission line, the Luano-Kansanshi-Lumwana-Kalumbila corridor, and multiple interconnectors linking Zambia with Tanzania, Kenya, Mozambique, Malawi, and Angola demonstrate ZESCO's commitment to regional energy integration. Engineer Loongo emphasized that these interconnectors will not only strengthen regional energy security but create new revenue streams for Zambia, particularly through the groundbreaking Zambia-Tanzania-Kenya Interconnector Project that will link the Southern African Power Pool with the East African Power Pool for the first time.

Engineer Loongo's leadership at ZESCO represents a paradigm shift toward collaborative, market-driven solutions that attract international investment while maintaining national energy sovereignty. His emphasis on regulatory harmonization across SADC countries, including unified legal frameworks, standardized tariffs, and compatible technical standards, positions ZESCO as a thought leader in regional energy policy development. By pursuing major hydroelectric projects like the 789MW Luapula Hydroelectric Scheme valued at US$1.7 billion alongside innovative distributed energy solutions, Engineer Loongo is building a balanced energy portfolio that reduces Zambia's vulnerability to climate-related risks while establishing the country as Africa's renewable energy investment destination. His strategic approach demonstrates that with strong leadership and clear vision, state utilities can drive both national development and regional transformation in the clean energy transition.