Zambia and China sign $3 billion deal
Photo: Xinhua News
Zambia Electricity Supply Company (ZESCO) and Chinese companies finalize megawatt power purchase agreements.
Zambia Power Supply Company (ZESCO) and China Integrated Clean Energy Power signed a $3.4 billion power purchase agreement (PPA) in Lusaka.
The China Integrated Clean Energy Power Company will implement the project in phases, with the first phase producing 100 million tons of solar energy. In addition, 300 MW will come from another solar power station to be built in South Province.
Victor Mapani, managing director of ZESCO, said two of the first phase of the project would be integrated into the State Grid by the end of next year.
The China Integrated Clean Energy Power Company will enter construction in the next four months.
According to ZESCO, the second phase of the project will start in 2025, its location is yet to be determined, and the energy mix will be a mix of solar, hydropower and other energy sources.
President Hakainde Hichilema inaugurated the 750 + 12 MW Lower Kafue Gorge Hydropower Station in Chikankata District, South Province, and pledged that Zambia would continue to export electricity to other countries to develop the country’s economy.
President Hichilema said energy self-sufficiency and surplus were important for Zambia to meet its electricity needs, both domestically and abroad.
President Hichilema said it was necessary for Zambia to produce more electricity in order to export the surplus to the Southern African Power Pool.
Puzzled by the demonization of the Government’s decision to export electricity, President Hichilema likened the phenomenon to the demonization of sources of growth and job creation.
“Do not devalue exports. Soon we could see that the energy sector will be second only to mining in Zambia’s foreign exchange earner”.
President Hichilema assured countries such as Malawi, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana and South Africa that Zambia would continue to support its energy needs as this boosted Zambia’s power generation capacity.
In June 2022, Victor Mapani, managing director of ZESCO, said that solar projects with varying installed capacity would spread risk when distributed across the country’s power grid.