Zambia’s Minister for Energy, Makozo Chikote, has officially launched the 2025 Energy Week, which will run from August 4th to 8th, 2025, under the theme “Advancing Towards a Sustainable Energy Future.” Energy Week is an annual event aimed at raising public awareness of the Government’s policies, reforms, and developments in the energy sector.
In his address, Minister Chikote said this year’s theme underscores the Government’s commitment to attracting investment and ensuring Zambia’s long-term energy security, particularly in the wake of the severe drought experienced during the 2023/2024 rainy season.
He reaffirmed that the Government remains determined to provide sustainable solutions and build robust, climate-resilient energy systems through a series of reforms in both the electricity and petroleum sub-sectors.
Minister Chikote mentioned key reforms in the electricity sector, including Net Metering, Single Energy Licensing System, and Incentives for Renewable Energy Equipment.
In the petroleum sector, the Minister highlighted the implementation of an open-access policy for the TAZAMA Pipeline, which now allows licensed oil marketing companies to use the pipeline on a competitive basis. This has improved operational efficiency and contributed to lower fuel pump prices for citizens countrywide.
Minister Chikote noted that under the leadership of President Hakainde Hichilema, the Government has made significant progress in expanding energy access. Since 2021, the national electricity access rate has increased from 34% to 54%, with rural access rising from 8% to 34% and urban access improving from 69% to 80%. He further stated that the Government remains focused on increasing renewable power generation.
He cited the commissioning of the 100MW Phase 1 Chisamba Solar Power Plant as a milestone and reaffirmed that Zambia is on course to deliver an additional 1,000MW of solar PV capacity by the end of 2025, in line with President Hichilema’s directive, to help eliminate load shedding.
Minister Chikote urged citizens, especially those in Mongu, to participate fully, engage with energy sector professionals, and learn about the Government’s ongoing measures to secure a reliable and sustainable energy future for Zambia.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
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