- ElecMech India has signed an Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Financing contract with Zanzibar Electricity Corporation for a 30 MW solar project.
- The Matemwe Solar Plant will include a 20 MWh battery energy storage system to improve grid stability and manage intermittency.
- The project supports Zanzibar’s broader 180 MW solar programme and aims for grid connection before November 2026.
ElecMech India has moved to strengthen Zanzibar’s power infrastructure after signing an Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Financing contract with the Zanzibar Electricity Corporation for the development of the 30 MW Matemwe Solar Plant. The project forms part of a wider 180 MW solar expansion programme aimed at reinforcing energy security and supporting the island’s growing Blue Economy.
The first phase will integrate a 20 MWh battery energy storage system alongside the solar installation, with an advanced energy management system designed to stabilise supply and improve dispatchability. The storage component is intended to smooth out solar intermittency and provide reliable power during peak demand periods, particularly in support of Zanzibar’s tourism driven electricity consumption.
Project preparations are already underway following a kick off meeting held on January 23, 2026, between ElecMech India and the Zanzibar Electricity Corporation. Site preparation activities are expected to proceed rapidly, with early works on the battery storage system scheduled for the first part of 2026.
The Matemwe project is expected to be connected to the grid before November 2026, marking a key milestone in Zanzibar’s strategy to reduce dependence on imported electricity from mainland Tanzania and accelerate the transition towards domestic renewable energy generation.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
