Lack of public database on power purchase agreements hurting energy investments —Policy centre

The Centre for Trade Policy and Development (CTPD) has urged the government to establish a transparent, publicly accessible database on Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) to enhance investor confidence and public oversight.

CTPD argued that the absence of such a database left citizens uninformed about commitments made on their behalf while creating uncertainties for potential investors in the energy sector.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, CTPD Legal Researcher, Lucy Musonda, said the lack of transparency in PPAs had contributed to unsustainable public debt, limited competitive procurement, and missed opportunities for clean energy development.

She stressed that making PPA details—such as tariffs, contract durations, and risk allocations—publicly available would help address fiscal, social, and climate-related challenges in the sector.

“This would not only safeguard public resources but also build investor confidence, ensuring that Zambia’s energy sector is financially sustainable, climate resilient, and socially inclusive,” Musonda said.

She called on the Ministry of Energy, the State utility, and the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) to prioritise the creation of a PPA database, emphasising that transparency was essential for securing Zambia’s energy future.

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