About the Project

As part of Denmark’s focus on South-South Cooperation, to enable better and more coherent cooperation between China and countries in Africa, in particular around the promotion of the UN’s Sustainable Energy for All initiative (SE4ALL), UNDP China was funded to develop this project document.

The project was developed with the Zambian Ministry of Mines, Energy and Water Development, China’s Ministry of Science and Technology and the advice of stakeholders from government, the private sector and research institutions in Zambia and China.

The project aims to support the access to electricity for rural communities in Zambia. It does so through the creation of an enabling environment to up-scale renewable energy technology deployment. This includes removing market barriers for introduction of improved renewable energy technologies and the strengthening of South – South Cooperation between Zambia and China. Zambia has the second largest potential for solar power in the world, currently virtually unused, and an abundance of rivers and water resources in the rural areas. Building on this potential, solar- and hydro power are identified as the most appropriate renewable energy technologies for Zambia and thus consistent with the Chinese development experience. The project seeks to achieve three strategic outcomes; i) Strengthen the enabling environment for the transfer and use of priority renewable technologies in Zambia, ii) Remove market barriers to the adoption of renewable technologies for the rural poor in Zambia, and iii) Invigorate the Chinese capacity for South – South Cooperation on renewable energies.

The project includes support for the development of an appropriate regulatory framework for promoting renewable energy in Zambia, the development of financing options for renewable energy, the establishment of demonstration and testing facilities to showcase renewable energy technologies and build capacity. In addition, the direct financing of a pilot project for rural electrification in Zambia will highlight the opportunities for rural development through technology transfer and South-South Cooperation. The project involves a wide range of stakeholders, from the private sector to research institutions, and create communities of practice in the sphere of renewable energy in Zambia and China that will facilitate project implementation and continued cooperation beyond the project. The project has been one of the first examples of strategic South-South Cooperation between China and Africa supported by the United Nations Development Programme and the Danish Embassy in China.

Expected Results

• The mechanism of interaction between Zambia Energy Department and China Ministry of Science and Technology (ACCA21) established and functional
• The mechanism of establishment of the demonstration centres on solar energy and mini hydro in Zambia under south to south cooperation  established