Turkish developer YEO and Zambian sustainable energy company are constructing a 60 MW solar plant with a 20 MWh battery energy storage system in southern Zambia.
Image: Michael Pointer, Unsplash
Turkey''s YEO is partnering with Zambian sustainable energy company GEI Power to develop a 60 MW/20 MWh solar plant with battery storage in Choma district, southern Zambia.
The facility has been touted as Zambia''s first solar plant with battery storage. Valued at approximately $65 million, it is scheduled to reach commercial operations in September 2025 and serve at least 65,000 households with electricity. GEI Power Managing Director Ignatius Anayawa said that feasibility studies, environmental impact assessment and grid impact studies have been conducted.
Zambian Ministry of Energy Permanent Secretary Francesca Chisangano Zyambo has urged the two parties to move quickly to commission the project, as the facility will be important for mitigating power shortages in the country.
"We also want to tap into the engineering and battery storage innovation expertises from Turkey and set up an assembly plant in the country" she said.
Zambia''s installed solar capacity stood at 124 MW at the end of 2023, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
In April, Canadian developer SkyPower Global signed a 1 GW power purchase agreement with state-owned utility Zambia Electricity Supply Corp.
Thank you very much for the article. Energy plays a crucial role in any economy, impacting various aspects of development and well-being. Zambia is grappling with power deficit and as a company we are determined to reduce the energy poverty not only for Zambia but in the entire region. With many projects in the pipeline such as this one we stand ready to partner and collaborate. Energy is not only a driver of economic growth but also a key enabler of sustainable development, health, and well-being. Its efficient use and accessibility are critical for achieving global development goals.Many thanksMwangala ChakalashiDirector Communications and Corporate RelationsGEI Power
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Solar energy has become a ray of hope as the globe struggles with the effects of climate change and the urgent need to switch to sustainable energy sources. Zambia has emerged as a shining example of a nation using the power of sunlight to power progress and propel its economic growth. Zambia is one of the nation''s leading the charge in embracing solar energy.
The nation’s dedication to eradicating energy poverty is one of the main forces behind Zambia’s solar energy revolution. Solar power has changed the game in rural areas with limited access to electricity. Solar panels have been placed in isolated villages as a result of numerous initiatives and collaborations, providing the locals with dependable electricity for heating, lighting, and running necessary equipment. This has increased inhabitants’ quality of life while also creating new prospects for the economic, medical, and educational sectors.
Solar energy is not only changing Zambia’s rural villages but also its urban areas. Urbanization has increased electricity demand, which has made it difficult for the conventional power grid to keep up with the rising demands. To fill the gap, solar power plants have stepped in, supplying clean energy to support the grid and lessen load during peak hours. This distributed energy strategy promotes a cleaner and more sustainable energy mix by reducing the nation’s dependency on fossil fuels and ensuring a more reliable power supply.
Additionally, considerable domestic and international investments have been attracted to Zambia’s switch to solar energy. Businesses have been inspired to engage in solar projects of various sizes thanks to the favorable regulatory framework, coupled with government incentives and support. The solar energy industry has developed into a magnet for investment, supporting economic growth and the generation of jobs. This includes large-scale solar farms that feed into the national grid as well as small and medium-sized businesses that cater to localized needs.
Furthermore, Zambia has seen a major improvement in the environment as a result of the growing use of solar energy. The nation’s greenhouse gas emissions have significantly decreased as it lessens its reliance on fossil fuels. This shift to renewable energy supports international efforts to slow down climate change and helps Zambia meet its obligations under the Paris Agreement.
However, Zambia’s solar energy journey is not without its difficulties, much like any transformative process. Despite the enormous potential for solar energy generation, installing solar infrastructure can be expensive initially. Small businesses and communities with limited financial means may find it difficult to invest in solar technology, equipment, and installation.
To overcome this obstacle, the Zambian government has been investigating cutting-edge funding strategies to increase public access to solar energy in collaboration with foreign organizations. Pay-as-you-go programs, lease choices, and user-driven community projects are a few examples of these.
Energy storage and grid integration present additional difficulties. Solar energy production is sporadic since it depends on sunshine. Grid integration and energy storage strategies that are effective are crucial for ensuring a steady and dependable power supply. The creation of effective energy storage technologies, such as batteries, can store extra energy during times of high generation and release it during times of low generation, maintaining a steady supply of electricity.
In conclusion, Zambia’s transition to solar energy in 2023 will demonstrate the country’s dedication to sustainable growth and the quest for a greener future. The nation is illuminating the way to a greener, more robust energy landscape by utilizing the power of sunshine. Zambia is well-positioned to profit from the myriad advantages of a solar-powered future as solar technology develops and investment flows, advancing its people’s progress and prosperity while paving the way for Africa’s sustainable energy revolution.
KITWE, Zambia - Zambia on Wednesday commissioned a solar plant for the production of solar energy as part of efforts to enhance the south African country''s electricity generation capacity.
The Riverside Solar Plant in Kitwe town in the Copperbelt Province is a project of the Copperbelt Energy Corporation, a publicly listed firm that provides electricity to the country''s mining industry.
The company, which initially commissioned its 1-MW project in 2018, signed an agreement with Chinese construction firm Sinohydro Corporation Limited for engineering and construction in November 2021 to increase the plant''s power generating capacity to 34 MW with an annual energy output of 56.5 GWh.
The project involved the installation of more than 61,320 solar panels and the construction of two transmission lines. A total of 22 million U.S. dollars were invested in the expansion project.
Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema said during the commissioning of the plant that the investment was a big achievement toward the country''s goal of ending power cuts, known locally as load shedding. According to him, the government intends to double the country''s electricity generating capacity in order to support the needs of industries.
The Zambian president stressed that energy security was vital to the country because it drives industries and commended the company for complementing government efforts to boost electricity generation especially for providing clean or green energy.
London Mwafulilwa, the company''s chairman, said the establishment of the pilot solar power project gave the company knowledge and experience to venture into expanding the project. While acknowledging that the plant was the company''s first renewable project, the official said it was not the last as more renewable projects will be done.
It has been a valuable stepping stone, he said, adding that it has enabled the company staff to gain knowledge in developing and managing solar plants.
Peter Kapala, the minister of Energy, said the commissioning of the solar plant was a significant milestone in the country''s energy sector. The government places great emphasis on the development of the energy sector because it was important to the country''s economic growth, he said.
According to him, the government was committed to ensuring that the energy sector was tilted toward the supply of alternative energy sources, adding that the government will deliver affordable and clean energy through the implementation of an ambitious renewable energy investment plan.
The African Development Bank Group''s () Board of Directors has approved an $8 million concessional loan to support the construction of a 25MW Solar Photovoltaic power plant in Zambia. The financing for the Ilute Plant will be sourced from the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA), a multi-donor Special Fund managed by the Bank. Ilute is expected to advance Zambia''s sustainable development and help the country unlock its renewable energy potential.
The venture has faced rising costs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenges. Serengeti Energy Ltd () and Western Solar Power Ltd () are leading the plant development in Zambia's Sesheke District. Competitively selected by GreenCo Power Services Ltd (GreenCo) (), this project will serve as a pilot for GreenCo's energy aggregator model under the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation Limited (ZESCO) () open grid access framework. Acting as an intermediary off-taker, GreenCo will purchase the generated electricity through a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement and sell it to the Southern African Power Pool Day-Ahead Market ().
"We are delighted to support the Ilute Solar PV project – which will be the first project to use Africa GreenCo as an intermediate off-taker. SEFA''s support has been instrumental in bridging the financing gap and will pave the way for future projects that contribute to Southern Africa''s energy transition," said Dr Daniel Schroth, African Development Bank Director for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency.
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