Zambia commissions Chisamba Solar Power Plant Phase II
On Tuesday, Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema officially launched the second phase of the Chisamba Solar Power Plant, a US$70 million, 100 megawatt (MW) facility that doubles the output of the Chisamba Solar Complex to 200 MW. The ceremony, held at the plant site in Central Province, highlighted the government’s push to end nationwide load‑shedding and to diversify the country’s energy mix amid growing climate pressures.
Project overview
The Chisamba Solar Complex now consists of two phases:
- Phase I: 100 MW, completed in roughly ten months.
- Phase II: 100 MW, delivered in about seven months.
According to ZESCO Managing Director Justin Loongo, the combined capacity makes the complex Zambia’s largest solar power installation to date. The project’s final cost was reduced from an initial estimate of US$100 million to US$70 million without compromising on quality, a saving attributed to efficient procurement and strong collaboration with Chinese contractor PowerChina.
Impact on electricity supply
President Hichilema emphasized that the new solar output has helped eliminate load‑shedding across the nation.
“The end of load shedding has nothing to do with elections. It is because the projects we initiated are now mature and are feeding electricity into the grid,”
ZESCO reports that the additional 100 MW from Phase II, together with the existing 100 MW from Phase I, now supplies roughly 5 % of Zambia’s peak demand, reducing reliance on hydro‑generation that suffered during the 2024 drought.
Energy diversification and climate resilience
The 2024 drought underscored Zambia’s vulnerability to rainfall‑dependent hydro power, prompting the government to accelerate solar investments. President Hichilema reiterated the national target to add 1,000 MW of solar capacity by the end of 2026, a milestone that supports the broader goal of reaching 10,000 MW of installed generation by 2030.
Central Provincial Permanent Secretary Milner Mwanakampwe noted that the province is emerging as a key energy hub, with projects under development expected to raise the region’s installed generation capacity to 437 MW by December 2026.
Economic and social benefits
Beyond electricity generation, the Chisamba Phase II project delivered tangible socio‑economic gains:
- Creation of over 1,400 direct jobs during construction.
- Skills transfer for local workers in solar panel installation, electrical engineering, and project management.
- Increased economic activity in surrounding communities, including hospitality and retail services.
Traditional leaders played a crucial role by making land available for the plant. Chief Chamuka, speaking at the ceremony, thanked the government for reforms that have attracted investment and urged residents to protect the infrastructure from vandalism. He also pledged to allocate additional land for a prospective 50 MW solar plant.
Stakeholder collaboration
The successful delivery of Chisamba Phase II reflects a coordinated effort among multiple partners:
- Ministry of Energy: Provided policy guidance and secured financing.
- ZESCO: Oversaw grid integration and operational handover.
- PowerChina: Executed engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC).
- Development partners: Contributed technical assistance and concessional loans.
- Traditional authorities: Facilitated land access and community liaison.
Kusobile Kamwambi, head of the Presidential Delivery Unit, highlighted that the project exemplifies the government’s energy diversification strategy, which combines policy reforms with concrete infrastructure to improve electricity security.
Looking ahead
With Chisamba Solar Complex now operating at 200 MW, Zambia is positioned to expand its renewable portfolio further. Planned initiatives include:
- Additional solar farms in the Central and Southern provinces.
- Hybrid hydro‑solar projects to balance seasonal water variability.
- Investment in battery storage to enhance grid stability.
Continued public support, transparent procurement, and adherence to timelines will be‑standards will be essential as the country pursues its ambitious 2030 power generation target.
