- Solar Century Africa Limited (“Solarcentury Africa”) and the Industrial Development Corporation Limited (“IDC”) of Zambia have signed a Heads of Terms agreement to co-develop a 67 MWp solar power plant in Zambia (the “Project”).
- This strategic Project will connect to the ZESCO backbone near Chisamba, Central Province, supporting Zambia’s efforts to mitigate its ongoing power shortages with sustainable energy solutions.
IDC has already secured the project site and carried out initial technical studies, while Solarcentury Africa will be responsible for completing development, design, funding and delivery of the plant.
Solarcentury Africa brings valuable experience to this partnership, having completed the development of the first 25 MW of the 100MW solar project in Kanona, Serenje District, which began construction last year and is set for commissioning in Q2 2025. As a member of the Southern Africa Power Pool (SAPP), Solarcentury Africa is actively expanding its merchant solar portfolio in Namibia, Botswana, and Zambia, with plans to install up to 500 MW of solar capacity in the region over the coming years.
This Project is designed to provide power primarily to IDC’s large industrial users in Zambia, addressing critical energy shortages that have impacted businesses and economic growth.
Cornwell Muleya, Chief Executive Officer of IDC added, “We are thrilled to partner with Solarcentury Africa to deliver a project that will have a significant impact on Zambia’s energy landscape. This project is a testament to our commitment to supporting Zambia’s industrialization agenda and reducing the country’s reliance on fossil fuels. Furthermore, this project aligns perfectly with Zambia’s Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), which aims to increase the share of renewable energy in the country’s energy mix. By harnessing Zambia’s abundant solar resources, we are contributing to a more diversified and sustainable energy sector, which will drive economic growth, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improve energy security for generations to come.”
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
