Zambia has commissioned its largest single solar photovoltaic project to date, the 136 MW Itimpi Phase II plant located in Kitwe, marking a significant milestone in the country’s renewable energy expansion efforts.
The project, developed by Copperbelt Energy Corporation Plc (CEC), officially became operational on 30 April 2026. It is powered end-to-end by technology from Sungrow Power Supply Co., including the SG350HX-20 string inverter and EMU200A energy management unit, delivered in collaboration with the project’s engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) partner.
The commissioning of Itimpi Phase II comes at a time when Zambia is actively working to diversify its electricity mix, which is currently heavily dependent on hydropower. With more than 80% of its electricity generated from hydro sources, the government is prioritising solar integration to reduce vulnerability to drought conditions and seasonal fluctuations in water availability.
CEC’s Itimpi Phase II plant is designed to complement existing hydropower capacity by providing stable solar generation during dry seasons, thereby enhancing grid reliability and supporting Zambia’s broader clean energy transition agenda. As the largest single utility-scale solar installation in the country, the project is expected to play a key role in strengthening energy security.
The technology deployed at the site has been tailored for local operating conditions. The SG350HX-20 inverter, combined with the EMU200A system, delivers up to 99% efficiency and is engineered to operate under weak grid conditions, with support for short-circuit ratio levels as low as 1.1. The system is also designed to withstand Zambia’s climatic conditions, operating between −30°C and 60°C, with IP66 protection and C5-level anti-corrosion resistance.
Commenting on the project, Nigel Sun said the development represents a benchmark achievement for utility-scale solar deployment in Zambia and reinforces the company’s commitment to expanding access to clean energy solutions across Africa.
Sungrow Power Supply Co. noted that it has already deployed approximately 370 MW of inverter capacity in Zambia and continues to expand its presence across Sub-Saharan Africa through both string inverter and turnkey solutions.
With Itimpi Phase II, Sungrow and CEC strengthen their collaboration in advancing large-scale renewable energy infrastructure, supporting Zambia’s long-term objective of building a more resilient, diversified, and sustainable power system.
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