Zambia’s Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC) expects to significantly expand the country’s renewable-energy capacity, by adding a projected 800-MW-plus of solar energy to the national grid, by the end of 2027. This programme is in line with the country’s efforts to diversify its energy sources in the face of climate change-induced shortfalls in its hydropower generation.  

Zambia has always had predominantly green energy, in the form of hydropower from the Kariba dam. When the dam is full, Zambia’s share of the electricity generated is 3 GW, while the country’s demand is about 2.5 GW. But growing aridity in the Kafue and Zambesi rivers’ catchment areas has resulted in low dam levels, cutting its generating capacity significantly. Currently, Zambia is suffering from a generation shortfall of some 1.3 GW.

Solar energy will keep the country’s electricity generation green. CEC’s key current projects are the 136 MW Itimpi solar plant (2) at Kitwe, and the 12 MW Fitula solar plant in Chingola, both of which are scheduled for commissioning during the first quarter of next year. Another important project is a 25 MW Global Energy Transfer Feed-in Tariff solar power project, expected to achieve financial close during the third quarter of this year.

The company is also co-developing, with national utility the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (better known as Zesco), a 500 MW solar power project. This will be implemented in two phases, each one of 250 MW. Financial close for Phase 1 should be before the end of this year, with completion of construction targeted at 12 months after financial close, and operation programmed to start by the end of 2026.

“Bankable feasibility studies such as site selection, grid and connections studies, environmental and social assessments are under way,” CEC Renewables Asset Manager Hilton Fulele tells Engineering News Online in an exclusive interview. “We have a fast-track execution approach. Immediately we reach financial close, we want the project done within 12 months.”

As its name implies, CEC is focused on supplying electricity to the Zambian Copperbelt and the adjacent Katanga province of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Its customers are primarily mines in both countries. The company’s current generating capacity is 94 MW of solar power, plus 80 MW of diesel-fuelled turbines, that supply emergency power to the mines.

CEC is listed on the Lusaka Securities Exchange and is a member of the Southern African Power Pool. The company attended the recent Africa Energy Forum exhibition, which was held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.