Zambia has launched construction of the 100 MW Siavonga solar photovoltaic project, backed by an $80 million investment. The project is being developed by ZESCO Limited through its joint venture, JIGSCO Energy Corporation, in partnership with Jigsaw Investments, with Power China serving as EPC contractor. Commercial commissioning is targeted for December 2026, reinforcing efforts to improve grid resilience as climate pressures constrain hydropower output.
Momentum continued on December 19 with the launch of the 100 MW Chisamba Phase II solar project. The Ministry of Energy said the initiative aligns with Zambia’s strategy to diversify its electricity mix and reduce exposure to system-wide risks. In Luapula Province, pre-commissioning tests of a 50 MW solar plant in Mansa injected 14 MW into the grid, exceeding local peak demand and easing daytime load shedding.
Solar development has also expanded into the Southern Province, home to major hydropower assets. New projects in Chirundu and Choma, alongside a 330 kV transmission line, signal a shift toward a more balanced and reliable power system.
