News Industry

Zambia Turns to Solar Power to Cut Reliance on Hydropower

Zambia Turns to Solar Power to Cut Reliance on Hydropower
Tuesday, 06 January 2026 06:35
  • Zambia launched or advanced more than 385 MW of solar projects between late 2025 and early 2026.
  • Authorities commissioned or started construction of three 100 MW solar plants as part of power mix diversification.
  • Hydropower accounted for about 90% of electricity generation in 2023, according to the IEA.

On December 17, 2025, Zambian authorities launched construction of the 100 MW Siavonga solar photovoltaic project, with planned investment of $80 million. ZESCO Limited developed the project through its joint venture JIGSCO Energy Corporation Limited, in partnership with Jigsaw Investments, while Power China acted as the EPC contractor. The project targets commercial commissioning in December 2026 and aims to strengthen energy security and improve grid resilience amid climate-related constraints on hydropower generation.

Two days later, on December 19, the government launched construction of another 100 MW solar project, Chisamba Phase II. The Ministry of Energy said the project supports the national strategy to diversify the electricity mix and reduce the power system’s vulnerability.

This rollout continued into early 2026 with operational progress in Mansa, in Luapula Province. Pre-commissioning tests of a 50 MW solar plant injected about 14 MW into the national grid. This output exceeded local peak demand of 9 MW, helping end daytime load shedding in Mansa and partially in Kasama. Authorities expect full commissioning in April 2026.

At the same time, the solar push expanded into the Southern Province, a region that historically hosts Zambia’s main hydropower assets. On December 4 and December 8, 2025, authorities and ZESCO launched construction of a 100 MW solar plant in Chirundu, a 35 MW solar plant in Choma, and a 330 kV transmission line.

The Chirundu and Choma plants sit in the same zone as the Kafue Gorge Upper, Kafue Gorge Lower, and Kariba North Bank hydropower dams, which form the backbone of national electricity production.

According to the International Energy Agency, hydropower accounted for about 90% of Zambia’s electricity generation in 2023. However, with multiple solar plants now operational and others under construction across several provinces, Zambia has begun to build the foundations of a more diversified and reliable power system.

Abdoullah Diop

 

On the same topic
Banque Misr adds $1.34 million financing to Cairo 3A energy project Hybrid solar, battery, diesel system powers poultry production...
TotalEnergies seeks logistics suppliers for Mozambique LNG project Tenders cover helicopter transport and port services operations Move signals...
Nigeria urges Gulf producers to invest in its oil sector Minister says Nigeria can help diversify global hydrocarbon supply Call comes amid Middle...
Sovereign Metals signed a new rutile sales memorandum with Mitsui & Co. for its Kasiya project in Malawi. Mitsui could purchase up to 70,000 tonnes of...
Most Read
01

The BCEAO cut its main policy rate by 25 basis points to 3.00%, effective March 16. Inflation...

BCEAO Cuts Key Rate to 3.00% as WAEMU Faces Deflation
02

Ethio Telecom has signed a new agreement with Ericsson to expand and modernize its telecom netwo...

Ethiopia’s State-Owned Telco Teams Up With Ericsson to Expand and Upgrade Its Network
03

EIB commits over €1 billion for renewable energy in sub-Saharan Africa Funding supports Miss...

EIB Commits €1 Billion to Renewable Energy Under Africa’s “Mission 300” Initiative
04

MTN Zambia tests Starlink satellite service connecting phones directly from space Direct-to...

Satellite direct-to-device telecoms: promise, momentum and hard limits
05

Nigeria introduced a 1% flat tax on the turnover of informal-sector businesses under a new presump...

Nigeria Rolls Out 1% Tax on Informal Businesses Under New Fiscal Framework
Enter your email to receive our newsletter

Ecofin Agency provides daily coverage of nine key African economic sectors: public management, finance, telecoms, agribusiness, mining, energy, transport, communication, and education.
It also designs and manages specialized media, both online and print, for African institutions and publishers.

SALES & ADVERTISING

regie@agenceecofin.com 
Tél: +41 22 301 96 11 
Mob: +41 78 699 13 72


EDITORIAL
redaction@agenceecofin.com

More information
Team
Publisher

ECOFIN AGENCY

Mediamania Sarl
Rue du Léman, 6
1201 Geneva
Switzerland

 

Ecofin Agency is a sector-focused economic news agency, founded in December 2010. Its web platform was launched in June 2011. ©Mediamania.

 
 

Please publish modules in offcanvas position.