Minister of Energy Launches 2025 Energy Week to Champion a Sustainable Energy Future
Minister of Energy, Hon. Makozo Chikote, MP, has officially launched the 2025 Energy Week, running from August 4th to 8th, under the theme “Advancing Towards a Sustainable Energy Future.” The week-long event aims to raise public awareness about government policies, sector reforms, and new developments across Zambia’s energy landscape.
Speaking at the launch, Minister Chikote emphasized the Government’s strong commitment to energy security, especially in light of the prolonged drought during the 2023/2024 rainy season. He reaffirmed the focus on building climate-resilient and sustainable energy systems through major reforms in both the electricity and petroleum sectors.
Among key electricity reforms is the Net Metering Program, allowing households and businesses to feed excess solar power into the national grid for credit. ZESCO has introduced a promotional campaign to install 1,000 net metering systems free of charge, encouraging citizens to apply at service centres across the country.
The Minister also highlighted the Open Access Framework, enabling independent power producers to sell electricity directly to customers, promoting competition and private sector participation. Additionally, a Single Energy Licensing System has been introduced to cut regulatory delays and simplify the process for investors.
To further incentivize clean energy adoption, the Government has rolled out tax and import duty reliefs for renewable energy equipment and streamlined import procedures. Minister Chikote urged businesses to pass the benefits on to consumers.
In the petroleum sector, an open access policy on the TAZAMA Pipeline now permits all licensed oil marketing companies to use the infrastructure competitively. This move, he said, has improved operational efficiency and contributed to lower fuel prices for citizens.
Minister Chikote noted that under President Hakainde Hichilema’s leadership, Zambia has made remarkable strides in expanding electricity access. National access has risen from 34% in 2021 to 54%, with rural access jumping from 8% to 34% and urban access increasing from 69% to 80%.
He cited the commissioning of the 100MW Phase 1 Chisamba Solar Power Plant as a milestone in Zambia’s clean energy transition. The country is also on course to deliver an additional 1,000MW of solar PV capacity by the end of 2025, a key step in ending load shedding.
Activities during Energy Week will include school outreach campaigns, radio shows, public lectures, and exhibitions. The main event is scheduled for Barotse Mall in Mongu District, bringing together government stakeholders, the private sector, and the public.
Minister Chikote called on all Zambians, especially those in Mongu, to actively participate and engage with energy experts to learn about the Government’s bold measures aimed at delivering a reliable and sustainable energy future.
