TFIGlobal
TFIGlobal
TFIPOST English
TFIPOST हिन्दी
No Result
View All Result
  • Indo-Pacific
  • Americas
  • Canada
  • Indian Subcontinent
  • West Asia
  • Europe
  • Africa
  • The Caribbean
TFIGlobal
  • Indo-Pacific
  • Americas
  • Canada
  • Indian Subcontinent
  • West Asia
  • Europe
  • Africa
  • The Caribbean
No Result
View All Result
TFIGlobal
TFIGlobal
No Result
View All Result
  • Indo-Pacific
  • Americas
  • Canada
  • Indian Subcontinent
  • West Asia
  • Europe
  • Africa
  • The Caribbean

UAE backs Zambia’s Solar Dream

Michael Mahanta by Michael Mahanta
January 28, 2023
in Africa, Geopolitics
UAE backs Zambia’s Solar Dream
Share on FacebookShare on X

Zambia-UAE solar projects: Zambia is reeling under a severe electricity crisis, following a reduction in water levels at the Kariba Dam. Recently it has only become worse. In mid-December, Zambian Energy Minister Peter Kapala announced that six hours of daily power outages would be implemented in the country. Furthermore, in January, Zambia’s power utility updated the hours of load shedding to 12 hours daily. Considering the electricity emergency, Zambia is left with no choice but to look at alternative forms of energy. Thus, it has now found support from the UAE to reboot its quest after previously facing disappointments from similar cooperation with China.

Zambia-UAE to develop $2 billion solar projects

Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema has said that the state-owned power utility Zesco has signed an agreement with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) renewable energy company Masdar to develop solar projects worth $2 billion in Zambia.

Also Read

Is Eutelsat the Strategic European Alternative to Starlink?

Medical Marvel: Decades-Old Toothbrush Removed from Patient’s Intestine in China

US puts forward “Bunker Buster Bill” to sanction China and India for backing Russia

Zambia-UAE solar projects (Source: Gulf Business)

The two companies will form a joint venture to facilitate investment in Zambia’s renewable energy and the project will commence immediately, starting with the phased installation of 500 megawatts (MW). These projects will result in an additional 2,000 megawatts of electricity in the country, within the next few years.

Zambia has been rationing electricity supply following a big drop in water levels in lake Kariba, threatening its hydropower generation which contributes more than 75% of the country’s power output.

Zambia’s solar potential

Zambia is a landlocked country that receives between 2000 to 3000 hours of sunshine per year. Recent droughts have led to prolonged blackouts and increased energy poverty across the country, as it is heavily dependent on hydropower. Solar power in Zambia has the potential to transform the country’s economy and the government is now investing in it to combat its electricity crisis. By 2030, the government of Zambia hopes to increase its electricity generation to 6,000 megawatts.

( Source: Eqmagpro)

In March 2019, President Edgar Chagwa Lungu introduced the Bangweulu Scaling Solar Plant to Zambia, a 54-megawatt power plant project to counter the country’s energy poverty, which can also help Zambia save significant amounts of money in the long run. Further, while the energy from large-scale hydroelectric dams is very centralized, smaller solar power grids can serve as decentralized sources, allowing for power to reach isolated rural communities.

Read more: G20-backed Zambia is giving China a run for its money

Zambia gets help from UAE after disappointments from China

Zambia’s debt crisis is well-known. In 2020, Zambia became the first African country to default during the pandemic when it failed to make payments on US$17 billion of external debt, including US$3 billion dollar-denominated bonds.

China is Lusaka’s biggest bilateral lender and Zambia has huge Chinese loan commitments. According to the China Africa Research Initiative, Zambia has used Chinese loans for more than 69 projects over a period from 2000-2018, mostly in the transport and power sectors. As per a report, Lusaka owes Chinese lenders about US$6 billion, which went into building mega-projects, including airports, highways, and power dams.

(Source: Times of India)

Further, China’s deceptive debt trap diplomacy and allegations of Chinese attempts to leverage the recipient country’s indebtedness for its own economic, military or political ends or even to seize its assets as a means of repayment have fuelled growing anti-Chinese sentiments in Zambia. Amid these concerns and swelling Chinese debts, Zambia had to call off US$1.6 billion Chinese loans and halted many of the infrastructure projects to manage its debt woes last year.

Read more: Zambia decides to get rid of Chinese influence after struggling for 5 years

Thus, after disappointments from China, in a significant step to strengthen its sustainable energy resources, Zambia has entered into a joint development agreement with the UAE to secure a US$2 billion investment.

Frustrated with the West and China, African countries are looking to diversify their economic cooperation and are forging new ties. Although African countries continue to depend heavily on China for its infrastructure development, Zambia must be lauded as it is making a bold move for its own national interests. Zambia’s president Hakainde Hichilema has reiterated the significance of the UAE investment by stating that the investment is not a loan but a capital injection further indicating that the country is in no mood to be a puppet any further.

Read More: Zimbabwe and Zambia join hands to end Sub-Saharan Africa’s energy woes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ek5TGA-ssI

Tags: ChinaHakainde HichilemaSolar PowerUAEZambia
ShareTweetSend
Michael Mahanta

Michael Mahanta

Columnist, TFI Media. Creating art through my articles.

Also Read

Global Backlash Erupts Over Glastonbury’s ‘Death to IDF’ Chant (Picture Credit: Le Monde)

Global Backlash Erupts Over Glastonbury’s ‘Death to IDF’ Chant

June 30, 2025
Zelensky Withdraws from Landmine Ban Treaty Raising Alarm Among Western Allies, has it marked the New Phase in Russia-Ukraine War?

Zelenskyy Withdraws from Landmine Ban Treaty Raising Alarm Among Western Allies, has it marked the New Phase in Russia-Ukraine War?

June 30, 2025
Did Grand Ayatollah Shirazi’s Fatwa Against Trump and Netanyahu Call for Lone Wolf Attack? (Photo credit: NEWS WEEK)

Did Grand Ayatollah Shirazi’s Fatwa Against Trump and Netanyahu Call for Lone Wolf Attack?

June 30, 2025
Israel's Strike on Tehran's Evin Prison Raises Questions Amid Fragile Ceasefires (Pic credit:AP)

How Did Israel’s Strike on Evin Prison Impact Iran’s Nuclear Talks? and Who Was the Actual Target?

June 30, 2025
Trump and China Trade Wars (Picture Credit: Bhaskar English)

Trump’s Trade War vs. Economic Reality: U.S.-China Ties Remain Vital

June 30, 2025
Global Backlash Erupts Over Glastonbury’s ‘Death to IDF’ Chant

“Iran has the knowledge and industrial capacity to rebuild nuclear program within months”: International Atomic Agency

June 30, 2025
Youtube Twitter Facebook
TFIGlobalTFIGlobal
Right Arm. Round the World. FAST.
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • TFIPOST – English
  • TFIPOST हिन्दी
  • Careers
  • Brand Partnerships
  • Terms of use
  • Privacy Policy

©2025 - TFI MEDIA PRIVATE LIMITED

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • Indo-Pacific
  • Americas
  • Canada
  • Indian Subcontinent
  • West Asia
  • Europe
  • Africa
  • The Caribbean
TFIPOST English
TFIPOST हिन्दी

©2025 - TFI MEDIA PRIVATE LIMITED

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. View our Privacy and Cookie Policy.