- Kiyona Energy partners with Bluesun Solar Zambia to develop a 26 MW solar photovoltaic plant.
- Project investment is estimated at USD 22–26 million, with commercial operations expected before year-end.
- The plant is part of Kiyona Energy’s target to deliver 302 MW of renewable capacity by 2028.
ZESCO’s renewable energy arm, Kiyona Energy, has signed a power purchase agreement with Bluesun Solar Zambia Ltd to develop a 26 MW solar photovoltaic plant, marking another milestone in Zambia’s fast-growing utility-scale solar sector.
The project is expected to require an investment of approximately USD 22–26 million. Construction is scheduled to begin shortly, with commercial operations targeted before the end of the year. Details of the financing structure and funding sources have not yet been disclosed.
Kiyona Energy, a wholly owned subsidiary of Zambia’s national utility, ZESCO, was established to lead the development of renewable energy projects across solar, wind, and biomass. The 26 MW plant forms part of the company’s broader plan to develop up to 302 MW of renewable energy capacity by 2028.
Since 2025, Zambia has seen a surge in utility-scale solar projects reaching financial close or entering operation in multiple provinces, driven by ZESCO, its subsidiaries, and independent power producers.
The expansion of solar generation is intended to strengthen grid reliability and reduce Zambia’s dependence on hydropower, which accounted for nearly 90 percent of the country’s electricity mix in 2023, according to the International Energy Agency. Heavy reliance on hydropower leaves the system vulnerable to prolonged droughts and other climate-related risks.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
