Zambia Launches 100 MW Solar Plant to Cut Imports and Power Mining Sector
Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema on Monday inaugurated the country’s largest grid-connected solar power plant, the 100-megawatt Chisamba project, developed by PowerChina.
The facility will supply electricity directly to First Quantum Minerals, one of Zambia’s largest copper producers.
The project is expected to significantly reduce Zambia’s reliance on electricity imports from neighboring South Africa and Mozambique.
By supplying power to the mining giant, the solar plant will also free up additional electricity capacity for local consumers.
Zambia currently depends heavily on hydropower for its electricity needs. However, a prolonged drought has caused water levels at key reservoirs to drop, forcing the state-owned utility, Zesco, to implement electricity rationing.
Speaking at the launch event, President Hichilema emphasized that the drought has underscored the urgent need to diversify Zambia’s energy mix and reduce overdependence on hydroelectric power.
There are plans to expand the Chisamba facility with an additional 100 megawatts of capacity, although a timeline for this second phase has yet to be announced.
