Chisamba Solar Project on Course

By Linda Mupemo 

Bifacial solar panels have been delivered on site 

The rising population in Zambia has subsequently led to an increase in the demand for resources such as energy. 

According to the 2022 National Census of Population and Housing, Zambia's population stands at 19, 693, 423 and only a proportion of 34 percent of the population has access to electricity as indicated by the Ministry of Energy. 

A report by the Ministry of Energy further indicates that the country's installed power generation capacity comprises 83 percent of hydro, 9 percent of coal, 5 percent of heavy fuel and 3 percent of solar. 

Suffice to say the overdependence on hydroelectricity for power generation has plunged Zambia into an energy crisis owing to reduced water levels occasioned by an El Niño induced drought the country experienced in the 2023/2024 rainy season. 

In a statement recently released to the media, Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) Limited Spokesperson Matongo Maumbi revealed that the company's hydropower generation deficit is over 1,000 megawatts. 

To promote energy security in the country, Government has begun investing in alternative sources of energy such as solar. 

One such investment is the Chisamba Solar Power Plant in Central Province which is being constructed at a cost of over US$ 100 million.

 

Additionally, the power project is sitting on 209 hectares of land in Kafungalubala village in Chief Chamuka's chiefdom.

The project is being implemented by Kariba North Bank Extension Power Corporation, however, Sino Hydro, a subsidiary of Power China has been contracted to do the works. 

Kariba North Bank Extension Power Corporation Chisamba Solar Plant Manager Chiza Nyirenda said the contractor has done 35 percent of civil works  so far at the sub - station and switcher.

 

Mr. Nyirenda disclosed that the plant will be generating 100 megawatts of power and will deploy a special bifacial solar technology, whereby both the front and the back of the solar panels will be tapping radiation from the sun and convert it into electricity. 

He explained that the transmission line will be connected to the 132 kilovolts (KV) Kabwe District step down sub-station located 3 kilometers away from the Chisamba Solar Power Plant site. 

“This is a grid connected solar photovoltaic plant which implies that it will have no battery storage . Therefore, whatever power will be generated from the plant will be transmitted into the national power grid," he said.

He says  the company has started receiving equipment among them solar panels, solar brackets, transformers, inventors and cables.  

Mr. Nyirenda added that the Chisamba Solar Power Plant power is the biggest solar plant in the country government has constructed at the moment. 

Meanwhile, Power China Project Manager Yang Zhanwei assured government of good workmanship. 

Mr. Yang says the company is working round the clock to ensure it delivers the project within the contractual timeframe of ten months. 

Chisamba District Commissioner Joel Mboyoma reaffirmed Government's  commitment to diversifying the energy portfolio of the country. 

Mr. Mboyoma states that transitioning from hydropower dependence to alternative sources of energy such as solar will promote energy security in Zambia. 

He says renewable energy is a choicest source of electricity in the wake of climate change as it does not produce carbon emissions. 

Mr. Mboyoma said he was satisfied with the progress of the works so far adding that he was anticipating the contractor to complete the works in February, 2025 as scheduled. 

“Government has learnt that solely relying on hydropower generation is unsustainable. We are working round the clock to ensure we invest in  alternative sources of energy like the Chisamba Solar Power Plant. Government wants to enhance access to electricity in the country," he said. 

Mr. Mboyoma states that the project has created employment for 355 skilled and semi-skilled local people. 

Needless to say the solar power project has shown light at the end of the energy deficit tunnel the area has been facing lately, giving residents a glimmer of hope. 

Ireen Chakanda is expectant that the solar project will increase access to electricity in the area thereby accelerating social economic transformation. 

"It has been challenging to live without access to electricity in Kafungalubala. We cannot use electrical appliances or engage in income generating activities that require electricity. I am hopeful this project will change the quality of our lives,” she said. 

Noteworthy is that electricity plays a vital role in enhancing social economic development especially in relation to improving the quality of education offered, medical care services and enabling the citizenry engage in income generating activities. 

The construction of the Chisamba Solar Power Plant is a step in the right direction regarding the promotion of clean and green energy consumption practices. 

Additionally, by generating electricity from sunlight, a renewable resource, the project is projected to contribute to enhancing energy  security in an environmentally friendly manner as solar energy does not produce greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide. 

Further, the initiative is in line with the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals SDG number 7 which seeks to increase the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix and partly reads, " By 2030 , ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services. "

This article was published in Times of Zambia newspaper on 5th December, 2024.