GRANTEE
Rocky Mountain Institute
Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) is an independent, nonpartisan nonprofit founded in 1982 that transforms global energy systems through market-driven solutions to secure a prosperous, resilient, clean energy future for all. In collaboration with businesses, policymakers, funders, communities, and other partners, RMI drives investment to scale clean energy solutions, reduce energy waste, and boost access to affordable clean energy to enhance security, strengthen economies, and improve livelihoods.
Focus & Impact
Variable power on a hydro-dependent grid. Zambia relies on hydropower for over 85% of its electricity supply and is vulnerable to changing weather patterns. Nearly half of Zambians are not connected to the national grid, and supply is unreliable for many who are.
Slow deployment of clean energy projects, despite high demand. Utility-enabled distributed energy resources (DERs), small-scale energy systems that power a nearby location, can improve supply to underserved communities and make local grids more resilient. A substantial project pipeline exists, but lack of funding for early-stage work is a key barrier to progress.
Closing the gaps from concept to investment to scale. RMI will engage in technical analysis and research with the national utility, ZESCO, and subsidiary Kiyona Energy to advance two high-priority DER project sites to the investment-ready stage by conducting the technical, commercial, financial, and environmental assessments required to secure investment and proceed to construction.
A replicable model. The methods, tools, and lessons from this public-private collaboration will form a toolkit that can be applied across the subsidiary’s broader pipeline and demonstrate a scalable pathway for utility-led distributed energy deployment across Zambia.
Project Funded
RMI will work with Zambia's national utility, ZESCO, and its subsidiary Kiyona Energy over 12 months to prepare two distributed-energy projects for investment and build a toolkit to enable replication. RMI will build on lessons learned from similar work in Nigeria, adapting its approach to the Zambian context. If funding is raised to complete the projects, they will improve electricity access, reliability, and quality of service for an estimated 10–15,000 households and businesses, while supporting local livelihoods.
VOICES FROM THE FIELD
ENERGY CORPS & RMI: WHY IT MATTERS
Energy Corps’ support for RMI’s Zambia work closes a critical gap between promising clean energy projects and the resources needed to prepare them for investment and implementation. By showing that utilities and private developers can deliver reliable local power together through innovative utility-enabled DER solutions, this partnership builds a foundation for public-private partnerships to bring reliable, grid-tied clean energy to Zambian communities.
Visit Rocky Mountain Institute
