In Lusaka Province, construction begins on Kafue Solar

Solarcentury Africa and Alensy Energy Solutions have started building Globeleq’s 56MWp Kafue Solar project in Lusaka Province, which will sell its power to ZESCO for 25 years from the third quarter of 2027. The three companies’ chief executives explain what the plant means for them and for the grid in a key industrial region.

Construction has started in Lusaka Province on the 56MWp Kafue Solar project, a 40MWac plant that Globeleq developed through the GET FiT Zambia programme and recently took to financial close with FMO and British International Investment as lenders, and Solarcentury Africa is building it jointly with Alensy Energy Solutions as EPC contractor. Generation is scheduled to start in the third quarter of 2027 under a 25-year power purchase agreement with ZESCO, and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation is supporting key upgrades to grid infrastructure for the project.

Once it is running, the plant is expected to supply the national grid with enough electricity for around 38,000 households and avoid some 48,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions a year. Around 200 Zambians are expected to be employed at the peak of construction, with long-term operating roles to follow once the plant enters commercial operation.

Kafue belongs to a Zambian portfolio that grew in March, when Globeleq completed its acquisition of a 51% stake from Norfund in Lunsemfwa Hydro Power Company, which runs two hydropower plants with a combined capacity of 56MW. Writing for ENN this month, Alasdair Martin, Globeleq’s Director of Private Customer Solutions, pointed to Kafue’s financial close as a sign that utility-scale renewable energy can be delivered successfully in Zambia and make a meaningful contribution to energy security.

“We are delighted to have supported Globeleq in bringing the Kafue Solar Project to financial close and are proud to be delivering this important project as a co-developer and EPC Contractor. We look forward to working closely with Globeleq and Alensy Energy Solutions Zambia to deliver the project safely, efficiently and on schedule,” said Jason de Carteret, chief executive of Solarcentury Africa, which also acted as Globeleq’s technical development partner on the project.

“Adding a client of Globeleq’s standing to our portfolio is a significant step for Alensy, and we are fortunate to have a strong partner in Solarcentury Africa. Together, we are confident of meeting Globeleq’s expectations as we deliver our third large utility-scale project in Zambia,” said Norbert Dörgeloh, chief executive of Alensy, a contractor that began in Namibia in 2011 and has installed 157MW of utility-scale projects to date.

“The Kafue Solar project highlights how partnership between the private sector and public partners like ZESCO can help deliver Zambia’s economic and energy ambitions,” said Jonathan Hoffman, chief executive of Globeleq. “By strengthening the grid in a key industrial region, it will support growth, enable more reliable power for businesses and communities, and contribute to a more sustainable, lower-carbon energy system.”

Images: Solarcentury