Zambia Plans Distributed Solar And Battery Projects Across 156 Constituencies To Strengthen Power Supply

Zambia is taking a major step to strengthen its power supply by planning to add distributed solar and battery storage systems across the country. The government wants to install about 2.3 MW of solar power along with a battery system of around 4 to 4.16 MWh in each of Zambia’s 156 constituencies. This plan comes at a time when the country is facing power shortages due to prolonged dry spells that have reduced water levels at key hydropower stations.

Zambia’s electricity system is already largely based on renewable energy. The country has an installed power capacity of about 3.9 GW, of which nearly 87 percent comes from renewable sources. Hydropower dominates the mix, contributing around 93 percent of renewable generation, while solar accounts for about 6 percent. In 2023, Zambia generated 19,522 GWh of electricity, with renewables contributing 89 percent and non-renewables making up the remaining 11 percent. However, heavy reliance on hydropower has made the system vulnerable to climate-related risks, leading to electricity rationing in recent periods.

To address this challenge, Zambia is working to diversify its energy mix, with solar energy identified as a fast and practical solution. One recent example is the commissioning of the 100 MW Chisamba solar PV plant. Building on this progress, the country is now focusing on smaller, distributed solar projects that can be rolled out quickly and connected easily to the existing grid.

The new initiative is being implemented through an Expression of Interest program launched by the Zambia National Energy Corporation Limited. ZNEC was established to carry out the Presidential Constituency Energy Initiative. Under this program, redirected Constituency Development Fund resources, along with other funding sources, will be used to develop solar infrastructure at the constituency level. The EOI invites qualified companies to handle engineering, procurement, and construction for solar PV plants of about 2.3 MW, each coupled with a battery energy storage system of around 4 MWh.

Under the plan, renewable energy solutions will be deployed in all 156 constituencies, targeting a total installed solar capacity of about 359 MWp and nearly 649 MWh of battery storage. This approach allows new capacity to be added without putting pressure on the transmission and distribution network. The batteries will also support grid stability and provide additional services.

ZNEC plans to build the solar plants at suitable sites near existing substations or distribution lines, mainly at 11 kV or 33 kV levels, to allow quick and low-cost connections. The distance to the connection point will not exceed 5 km, helping to reduce integration costs. ZNEC is majority owned by ZCCM Investments Holdings Plc, with the remaining shares held by the government through the Ministry of Finance and National Planning.

With electricity access already reaching about 81 percent of the population, this initiative is expected to further improve supply, support local development, and build energy resilience across Zambia. The program could also serve as a model for other countries in the region and across Africa.