LUSAKA, Zambia – In a significant boost to Zambia’s energy security and its transition to renewable power, a new 50-megawatt (MW) solar photovoltaic (PV) plant has officially commenced operations. The Letsatsi Power (Pty) Ltd, developed by a consortium of regional investors, was inaugurated today in a ceremony attended by government officials and energy sector leaders.
The $60 million project, located in the Central Province, is expected to inject clean, reliable power directly into the national grid, helping to alleviate the chronic power shortages that have plagued the country’s mining-dependent economy and residential areas in recent years.
While the project shares its name with a prominent South African solar plant, this new Zambian development is a distinct entity, spearheaded by a group of independent power producers (IPPs) looking to capitalize on the country’s high solar irradiation. The plant spans over various sites and will utilizes over 120,000 bifacial solar modules, which capture sunlight on both sides to maximize efficiency.
“This soon to be commissioned project marks a pivotal moment for our country,” said a representative from Zambia’s Letsatsi Power. “The Letsatsi project is not just about adding megawatts; it is about diversifying our energy mix, reducing our reliance on hydro power, and ensuring a more stable and predictable power supply for our businesses and communities.”
Zambia derives over 85% of its electricity from hydroelectric sources. In recent years, prolonged droughts linked to climate change have drastically reduced water levels at the Kariba Dam, the country’s primary power station, leading to extensive load-shedding. The 50MW contribution from the Letsatsi plant, while modest compared to the national shortfall, provides much-needed relief and represents a critical step toward energy diversification.
“Our mission was to deliver a bankable, sustainable project that could be constructed swiftly and provide immediate value to the Zambian people,” said Kina Kim, the CEO of the lead developing consortium. “We saw the opportunity to harness Zambia’s abundant natural resource—the sun—to create a resilient power solution. This plant will operate for decades, providing clean energy and contributing to the country’s economic stability.”
Construction of the plant, which is soon to began, will create hundreds of local jobs and involve significant skills transfer to Zambian engineers and technicians. The project is about to enter it construction phase, will have a local team responsible for the plant’s day-to-day management and maintenance. The power generated is being purchased by the state-owned utility, ZESCO, under a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA).
Energy analysts have welcomed the development, stating that it sets a positive precedent for future private-sector investment in Zambia’s renewable energy sector.
“Projects like Letsatsi are vital for signaling to the international investment community that Zambia is open for business and committed to its energy transition,” said an energy analyst based in Lusaka. “It demonstrates that projects can be delivered successfully, providing a blueprint for scaling up solar and wind power to close the energy gap for good.”
The successful launch of the Letsatsi Power Project adds to a growing pipeline of solar developments in the country, reinforcing Zambia’s ambition to become a hub for clean energy in the Southern African region.