The history of electrification in Zambia dates back to 1906, but ZESCO itself was established in 1970 following the passage of the Zambia Electricity Supply Act. Over the decades, the company has grown into a massive entity, owning and operating several hydropower stations with a combined installed generating capacity currently exceeding 2,900 megawatts. As of a 2026 ministerial statement, Zambia's total installed capacity stands at 3,880 MW, with ZESCO generating 3,168 MW of that total.