Construction has begun on an $8 million solar power plant in Mwandi District, Zambia’s Western Province. The project is expected to add 10 megawatts (MW) of electricity to the national grid and strengthen power supply in the region.
The solar photovoltaic plant is being developed on around 40 hectares of land in the Mwilima area of Mwandi District. It will have an installed capacity of 11 MWp, equivalent to 10 MWac, and is expected to generate approximately 22 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity each year.
The project is being developed by Lunzua Power Company Limited and Valinor Investments Limited. The electricity generated by the plant will be supplied to the national grid through a dedicated evacuation line, which is being constructed as part of the project.
The total project cost includes the evacuation infrastructure and is being financed through a 30:70 equity-to-debt structure. Construction work is being carried out by SANY International (Zambia) Industrial Company Limited and is expected to be completed within six months.
Once operational, the solar plant is expected to generate enough electricity to supply around 4,600 households annually. The project is also expected to contribute to reducing Zambia’s power deficit by adding new renewable generation capacity to the national grid.
The evacuation infrastructure will enable the electricity produced by the plant to reach customers through the national transmission system. This is expected to improve electricity availability and support energy security in the area.
The project is also expected to create employment opportunities for residents of the local community during construction and potentially support economic activity in Mwandi.
The development follows feasibility studies that identified the potential for solar power generation in the area. The project is expected to support Zambia’s efforts to expand renewable energy capacity and improve reliable electricity access while reducing dependence on conventional power sources.
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