If you are talking about the Kariba Dam, quite the opposite. It is out of service because of maintenance, and corrective action for deterioration that had not been anticipated. (The dam had been designed by an Italian construction company, which is not a derogation. Just for full disclosure.)

But the general state of power service in Zambia is more due to a lack of a development plan and funding for expansion. They are also getting twisted aside by the "green energy" woke incentives from (e.g.) USAID. In order to get a freebie, you have to accept a stupid freebie. Another example of this is the utter lack of water resource management. Zambia is subject to heavy monsoon rains. Lusaka is in a natural depression and commonly floods. And the water finally trickles away. The aquifer is exhausted and there are no catchment basins or cisterns to retain water. I think there are plenty of smart Zambians that would point this out, but the government is more interested in the showmanship of government and in opportunities for self-enrichment and gaining power. So, no budget for improvement. Nor any budget for the doctors, policemen, or educators. It is a miracle that any such services exist, even though they have no resources to do much of anything. The police would be glad to answer a call for help...but they have no budget for fuel in their vehicles. The Army is a crack outfit with uniform dress...but they don't have money to provide boots. The whole situation is somewhere between pathos and outrage.

Sorry to go on. I do love Zambia. I do not love the low estate they have come to.