ZESCO Limited’s Chief Engineer for Renewable Energy Projects, Mpaisha Phiri, has assured the public that the installation of more solar energy projects is a key strategy in reducing the load shedding hours that have been plaguing Zambia. Speaking during ZESCO’s Malaiti Monday Online Programme, Phiri emphasized the significant role that renewable energy, particularly solar power, will play in alleviating the country’s ongoing energy crisis.
One of the most notable developments in this effort is the 100 Megawatt Chisamba Solar Plant, which is currently 90 percent complete. Phiri explained that this solar plant would provide a much-needed boost to the national grid, contributing an additional 100 Megawatts of power. “The importance of the 100 Megawatts solar plant in Chisamba cannot be underestimated or overemphasized,” he said, likening the plant’s impact to receiving a substantial financial boost. “It’s more or less like if you have K0 and somebody gives you K100, then you say, ‘wow, that’s a big help.’ This plant will be a significant contributor to mitigating the energy crisis.”
The Chisamba Solar Plant is part of Zambia’s broader strategy to diversify its energy mix and reduce the country’s reliance on hydropower, which is vulnerable to fluctuations in water levels. The implementation of renewable energy solutions like solar is seen as critical to ensuring energy security, especially in the face of climate change, which has had a direct impact on the country’s hydropower production.
In the same broadcast, Energy Minister Makozo Chikote assured citizens that the government is actively addressing the load shedding issue, which he acknowledged has disrupted economic activities across the nation. “We are not sleeping,” Minister Chikote stated. “The load shedding is affecting the economy, and the government is committed to addressing the energy challenges that have had a negative impact on businesses and daily life in Zambia.”
The government’s focus on renewable energy projects is part of a broader national effort to stabilize the power supply and encourage economic growth. The Chisamba Solar Plant is not the only solar project in the pipeline, as ZESCO continues to explore and implement various renewable energy solutions, including smaller-scale solar plants and initiatives to expand energy storage capabilities.
Phiri highlighted that solar energy, with its lower operational costs and ability to be deployed in various parts of the country, offers a sustainable solution to Zambia’s energy challenges. The positive economic impact of these projects, including job creation and the stimulation of local industries, is expected to further support the country’s development.
While Zambia’s energy crisis is far from over, the progress made in the renewable energy sector offers hope for the future. Both ZESCO and the government are committed to seeing through the expansion of solar power, which is expected to play a key role in reducing load shedding and providing reliable, sustainable electricity for the people of Zambia. As the Chisamba Solar Plant nears completion, the benefits of renewable energy are beginning to take shape, signaling a brighter and more energy-secure future for Zambia.