Chisamba Solar Power Plant
| Chisamba Solar Power Plant | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Country | Zambia |
| Location | Chisamba District, Central Province |
| Coordinates | 14°36′36″S 28°35′24″E / 14.60992772°S 28.59003929°E |
| Status | Operational |
| Construction began | July 2024 |
| Commission date | June 2025 |
| Construction cost | US$100 million |
| Owner | KNBEPC (subsidiary of ZESCO) |
| Operator | ZESCO |
| Solar farm | |
| Type | |
| Power generation | |
| Nameplate capacity | 100 MW |
The Chisamba Solar Power Plant is a 100 megawatt (MW) grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) solar power station in Chisamba District, Central Province, Zambia. It was commissioned in June 2025.[1]
Overview & Capacity
[edit]The plant was developed by the Kariba North Bank Extension Power Corporation,[2] a subsidiary of ZESCO, and built by Power China International Group. Financing came from a mix of debt and equity: Stanbic Bank Zambia provided a loan of US$71.5 million, while ZESCO and KNBEPC each contributed US$30 million in equity.[3] Total investment in the first phase was approximately US$100 million.[4] The plant has an installed capacity of 100 MW and is estimated to supply enough electricity for 30,000 to 50,000 homes.[5]
Power purchase and usage
[edit]Electricity from the plant is sold under a 13-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with GreenCo Power Services, with the power supplied primarily to First Quantum Minerals (FQM), a copper mining company operating in Zambia.[6] Under the arrangement, ZESCO redirects an equivalent amount of electricity to domestic consumers.[7]
Economic and social impact
[edit]Construction created over 1,200 jobs, of which approximately 98% were sourced locally. The plant is expected to employ around 100 people during operations. It is part of Zambia's plan to install 1,000 MW of solar capacity by 2025.[8] A second 100 MW phase at the site is planned.[1]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- 1 2 "How Zambia turns to solar to solve energy crisis – DW – 04/11/2025". Deutsche Welle. Retrieved 3 July 2025.
- ↑ "Zambia plugs 100MW of solar power into national grid". The EastAfrican. 1 July 2025. Retrieved 3 July 2025.
- ↑ "Zambia: Chisamba solar plant (100 MW) accelerates private energy transition". EnergyNews. 19 May 2025. Retrieved 3 July 2025.
- ↑ "Zambia completes 100 MW solar farm". PV Magazine International. 26 May 2025. Retrieved 3 July 2025.
- ↑ "Zambia : ZESCO to Add 500 Megawatts of Solar Power to National Grid". 25 April 2025. Retrieved 3 July 2025.
- ↑ "Zambia launches 100 megawatt solar plant supplying First Quantum Minerals". Reuters. 30 June 2025. Retrieved 3 July 2025.
- ↑ "Zambia Launches 100MW Solar Plant for First Quantum Minerals in 2025". Discovery Alert. 30 June 2025. Retrieved 3 July 2025.
- ↑ "Zambia : Government Targets 1000 MW Electricity From Solar For 2025". 8 March 2025. Retrieved 3 July 2025.