Zambia expects its $1.2bn electricity interconnector linking Tanzania and Kenya to begin operations in 2029, boosting regional power trade by up to 500MW.
Zambia expects a major electricity transmission project connecting the country to Tanzania and Kenya to become operational in 2029, a development expected to strengthen regional power trade and improve electricity supply reliability.
Zambia’s Electricity Minister, Peter Kapala, disclosed the timeline while addressing lawmakers on Thursday. The project involves a 2,300-kilometre high-voltage transmission network estimated to cost $1.2 billion. It was originally agreed upon in 2014.
Zambia-Tanzania Power Line: What the Project Involves
The electricity interconnector will link Zambia with Tanzania and Kenya through a transmission network designed to improve electricity exchange between countries in Southern and Eastern Africa.
Zambia is expected to construct slightly more than 600 kilometres of the transmission line as part of its contribution to the wider project.
The country has secured approximately $292 million in grant funding from the World Bank Group, the European Union and the United Kingdom to support its portion of the development.
Once completed, the interconnector is expected to connect the Southern Africa Power Pool (SAPP) with the Eastern Africa Power Pool (EAPP), creating a stronger electricity trading network across the two regions.
Zambia Targets 2029 Completion of Electricity Project
Kapala said the full scope of Zambia’s portion of the project would be undertaken over 24 months, with commissioning scheduled for the second quarter of 2029.
The minister also disclosed that China’s Sinotech Consortium had been awarded contracts for two sections of the transmission network in northern Zambia.
The first phase covers 186 kilometres between the Pensulo substation and Mpika, while the second involves a 200-kilometre section connecting Mpika to the Kasama substation.
These sections form part of Zambia’s wider contribution to the regional electricity infrastructure project.
How the Power Interconnector Will Boost Regional Electricity Trade
The project is expected to allow Zambia to trade up to 500 megawatts of electricity with neighbouring countries, strengthening its position in the regional energy market.
By connecting the Southern and Eastern African power pools, the transmission network will make it easier for participating countries to exchange electricity and access additional sources of supply.
The interconnector is also expected to improve electricity reliability by creating more opportunities for cross-border power transfers when countries experience shortages or fluctuations in domestic generation.
World Bank, EU and UK Support Zambia’s Energy Infrastructure
The project has attracted financial support from international development partners, with Zambia securing $292 million in grants from the World Bank Group, the European Union and the United Kingdom.
The funding is expected to support the construction of Zambia’s portion of the transmission network and advance the country’s participation in regional electricity trading.
The wider project, estimated at $1.2 billion, represents a significant investment in cross-border energy infrastructure.
Zambia’s Ambition to Become a Regional Electricity Hub
The interconnector is expected to strengthen Zambia’s role in Africa’s electricity market by improving access to regional trading opportunities.
With the ability to trade up to 500 megawatts of power, the country could become an important electricity supplier within the connected markets, depending on available generation and demand.
The project’s planned commissioning in 2029 will mark a major step towards deeper electricity integration between Southern and Eastern Africa.
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