Zambia Moves Ahead with 300MW Coal-Fired Power Plant in Sinazongwe
Zambia to Develop 300MW Coal-Fired Power Plant as ZCCM-IH Targets Energy Security
Zambia is moving forward with plans to develop a 300MW coal-fired thermal power plant in Sinazongwe District, as the country seeks to strengthen electricity supply and reduce its heavy reliance on hydropower.
The project is being developed through Ever Great Energy Company Limited, a special-purpose vehicle involving ZCCM Investments Holdings (ZCCM-IH) and Wonderful Group Services Limited.
Under an agreement signed on June 1, 2026, ZCCM-IH will acquire a 30% stake in Ever Great for approximately US$54.2 million. The wider project has an estimated cost of US$451.7 million.
The first phase will comprise a 300MW coal-fired power plant made up of two 150MW generation units.
The facility will use Circulating Fluidized Bed Combustion (CFBC) technology and will be connected to the national grid through transmission infrastructure linking the plant to the Muzuma Substation in Choma.
The development will also include the establishment of a coal mine in Southern Province to support the power project.
Ziquan Group (Singapore) Pte Limited has been appointed as the engineering, procurement and construction contractor on a turnkey basis.
The company has experience delivering thermal power projects in countries including Zimbabwe, the Democratic Republic of Congo and China.
The project is being developed against a significant electricity supply gap in Zambia. ZCCM-IH estimates the country’s baseload peak-demand generation deficit at approximately 1,400MW, highlighting the need for additional reliable generation capacity.
The new plant is expected to help diversify Zambia’s electricity mix and reduce exposure to fluctuations in hydropower generation, particularly during periods of low water availability.
The project also has a longer-term expansion plan. Following completion of Phase 1, capacity is expected to be doubled to 600MW within five years, while Ever Great has ambitions to eventually develop up to 900MW of thermal generation capacity in Zambia.
For ZCCM-IH, the investment is also strategically linked to Zambia’s mining ambitions. The company expects additional reliable electricity generation to support its mining portfolio and the country’s target of increasing copper production to 3 million tonnes per year.
The Sinazongwe project therefore represents part of Zambia’s broader effort to expand generation capacity, diversify away from hydropower and provide more dependable electricity for industry and mining.
As Zambia continues to attract investment into its mining sector, additional baseload generation will be critical to ensuring that electricity supply keeps pace with growing industrial demand.
