On 3–4 March 2025, the RE-Integrate Project hosted a Stakeholder Engagement Workshop in Lusaka, Zambia, marking a critical step in the country’s journey toward a just and climate-compatible energy transition. The workshop focused on presenting initial findings from the study “Sustainable and Comprehensive Energy System Modelling for Zambia: A Holistic and Climate-Compatible Framework Spanning 2023 to 2063.”
The event convened 38 stakeholders representing government agencies, academia, private sector actors, civil society, and community groups. This diverse participation enabled rich, multi-perspective discussions on the future of Zambia’s energy system. Key institutions such as the Ministry of Energy, Energy Regulation Board (ERB), Rural Electrification Authority (REA), ZESCO, and the University of Zambia (UNZA) played central roles in driving the dialogue.
The workshop had four primary objectives:
- Disseminate preliminary findings from the RE-Integrate energy modelling efforts.
- Engage stakeholders in thematic discussions on energy policy, modelling, finance, and green hydrogen.
- Identify key barriers and opportunities for a climate-compatible energy transition.
- Strengthen collaboration across sectors to support long-term energy planning.
Breakout sessions delved into five themes: energy policy alignment, climate-integrated energy modelling, model validation using PyPSA, financing mechanisms, and the potential for green hydrogen and sector integration. These sessions surfaced critical insights on the need for coherent policy frameworks, improved data-driven scenario modelling, and enabling environments for private sector investment—especially for SMEs and renewable technologies.
One notable component was the presentation of Zambia’s Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), which aims to ensure long-term energy security and emissions reduction. The workshop highlighted the importance of aligning such national plans with climate mitigation and adaptation goals, while also addressing local development needs.
To complement the workshop, an online survey was conducted to assess how stakeholders influence energy modelling processes within RE-INTEGRATE. The findings underscore the value of stakeholder input in refining assumptions, revealing modelling blind spots, and ensuring outputs meet the needs of decision-makers.
Key recommendations emerging from the workshop include:
- Strengthening alignment between energy policy and climate targets
- Prioritising capacity building in system modelling and planning
- Designing innovative financing mechanisms for green energy and hydrogen
- Fostering sustained multi-stakeholder dialogue
- Further exploring the feasibility and role of green hydrogen in Zambia’s energy mix
The RE-Integrate Project continues to serve as a critical platform for co-producing knowledge, building institutional capacity, and supporting Zambia’s transition to a sustainable and inclusive energy future.
