On May 20, Zambia’s 100MW emergency solar project in Kabwe was officially synchronized to the national power grid. As the largest single-unit photovoltaic (PV) project in Zambia to date, its commissioning will provide stable clean energy to the central region, generating an estimated 180 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity annually—enough to meet the annual electricity needs of 150,000 households. The project is expected to directly alleviate 30% of the region’s power deficit, serving as a core driver for local mining upgrades and agricultural modernization.
Located in Chisamba District, Central Province, the 100MW emergency solar project in Kabwe marks ZESCO Limited’s (Zambia’s state-owned power utility) maiden venture into solar energy. Covering 106 hectares, the project’s main construction components include a 100MW solar PV power plant, a 33/132kV step-up substation, a 2.7-kilometer dual-circuit 132kV transmission line, and the expansion of an existing substation. The successful grid connection will spur the development of nearby infrastructure, further bolstering industrial, agricultural, and mining growth in Zambia’s central region. It also holds significant importance for the country’s energy diversification and enhancing national power security.
During project execution, the initiative deepened localized employment practices, creating over 1,350 jobs for surrounding communities and achieving a 96% local workforce participation rate. Additionally, technical training programs cultivated 320 skilled workers in fields such as electrical engineering, carpentry, welding, and reinforcement steel work.
