Lusaka, Zambia – Zambia, once a beacon of hydropower in Africa, is currently grappling with its worst electricity blackouts in decades. The crisis, triggered by a severe drought exacerbated by the El Niño weather phenomenon, has left millions of Zambians without power for days at a time.
The country’s reliance on hydropower, with the Zambezi River and Kariba Dam as its primary sources, has made it particularly vulnerable to the drought. Water levels in Kariba Dam have plummeted to historic lows, reducing the capacity of the power station to generate electricity.
The blackouts have had a devastating impact on the economy, with businesses forced to close or operate at reduced capacity. Households have also been severely affected, with many struggling to access basic necessities like food, water, and healthcare.
The government has been scrambling to address the crisis, but limited resources and the ongoing drought have hampered its efforts. While the government has encouraged the adoption of solar energy and is investing in new power plants, the immediate challenges remain daunting.
