Maamba Solar Plant Feeds First Power Into National Grid

The 100-megawatt Maamba Solar Project has fed electricity into Zambia's national grid for the first time. Power first flowed on 24 September, and the plant has now entered its commissioning phase.

ZCCM Investments Holdings (ZCCM-IH) made the announcement on Friday. Worth around US$90 million, the plant is one of the largest utility-scale solar facilities in the country. All of its output is sold to ZESCO under a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement.

The project was developed by Maamba Solar Energy Limited, a joint venture in which ZCCM-IH holds 35%. The remaining 65% belongs to Nava Global, the international arm of India-listed Nava Limited. The plant sits alongside the existing Maamba thermal power station in Sinazongwe District, Southern Province. It uses solar panels on trackers that follow the sun through the day, and has its own 330 kV substation connecting it to the grid.

ZCCM-IH Corporate Affairs Manager Loisa Mbatha said the plant will now go through synchronisation, testing and performance checks before full commercial operation. The company will update shareholders as each milestone is reached.

Chief Executive Officer Kakenenwa Muyangwa said the timing could not be more important, with Zambia bracing for El Niño and the pressure it is expected to put on hydropower. He described 100 megawatts of solar as "a direct and timely response" to the country's energy security needs.

He added that the project diversifies Zambia's energy mix, supports the Grow Zambia agenda and contributes to the national goal of 10,000 megawatts of generating capacity.