Zambia Approves Open Access Policy in Electricity Sector

In a conference at State House on 11th June with the outgoing British High Commissioner, Nicholas Woolley, President Hichilema unveiled the government’s approval of an open access policy in the electricity sector.

The policy has been endorsed in a move to revitalise Zambia’s energy sector from the challenges it has faced throughout the drought and increase investment from private investors and independent power producers in the country.

The policy also aims to create a more competitive environment, encouraging innovation in renewable energy solutions.

The policy announcement comes at an important time for the energy sector. Energy Minister Peter Kapala pointed to the 300 Mega Watt Coal Power Plant at Maamba Collieries and a 100 Mega Watt Solar PV power plant in Chisamba which will be completed in December this year.

President Hichilema expressed deep gratitude to the UK government for its support of Zambia in stabilising various economic sectors, the fight against corruption, and the debt restructuring deal.

The open access market structure for electricity will promote non-discriminatory access to the transmission and distribution networks.

During the conference where he thanked Nicholas Woolley for his individual support, and the UK government, Hichilema said that the open access policy would “enable us to enhance more transactions and increase economic activities that have been affected by the drought situation.”