Examining the Effectiveness of Community-Based Renewable Energy Solutions in Addressing Clean Energy Gaps: A Case Study of Chawama Constituency in Lusaka

Despite Zambia’s growing commitment to renewable energy through the National Energy Policy (2019), peri-urban communities such as Chawama Constituency in Lusaka continue to face persistent energy poverty. Only about 52% of households in informal settlements have access to reliable electricity, constrained by frequent outages, high connection costs, and weak grid infrastructure. Community-Based Renewable Energy (CBRE) solutions, particularly solar home systems, kiosks, and institutional installations, have emerged as alternatives, yet their effectiveness and sustainability in low-income urban contexts remain insufficiently documented. This study therefore examined the effectiveness of CBRE solutions in addressing clean energy gaps in Chawama Constituency. A descriptive case study design was employed, integrating quantitative surveys with qualitative key informant interviews (KIIs). Structured questionnaires were administered to 80 households and 5 solar kiosk operators, while 13 key informant interviews were conducted with school administrators, health workers, and local leaders, producing 98 valid responses. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS version 27 to generate descriptive statistics and cross-tabulations, while qualitative data were thematically analyzed. This methodological triangulation enhanced reliability and validity by combining statistical evidence with lived experiences. Findings revealed that solar home systems (78.8%), solar lanterns (71.8%), and kiosks (52.9%) were the predominant CBRE technologies. Approximately 78.8% of respondents accessed at least five hours of electricity daily, and 77.7% reported lower energy costs after adoption. The systems enhanced livelihoods through small enterprises such as phone charging and retail operations, improved educational outcomes by extending study hours, and strengthened health services through reliable lighting. Sustainability was moderately strong, with 62.4% of respondents confident that their systems would remain functional for at least five more years. However, challenges included high maintenance costs, limited spare parts, and weak institutional coordination. The findings confirm that CBRE solutions have moderately improved energy access, affordability, and socio-economic welfare in Chawama, embodying the principles of distributional, procedural, and recognition justice under the Energy Justice Framework. Sustainable impact depends on strengthening community governance, enhancing technical capacity, and institutionalizing support mechanisms for maintenance and reinvestment. The study concludes that participatory, inclusive, and locally governed renewable energy systems provide a viable model for achieving equitable and enduring clean energy transitions in Zambia’s peri-urban settlements.