The Zambian Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) with the support of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), member of the World Bank Group, are establishing the guidelines to develop 100 MW solar power capacity in Zambia.
The project will be developed in two different zones with two different sponsors which have not been released yet.
Each project will count with the same power capacity of 50 MW as it has been established in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the IFC and the IDC.
The project constitutes the first utility-scale PV project in Zambia as a result of the IFC’s Scaling solar programme, which seeks to facilitate the rapid development of privately owned utility-scale solar projects in the Sub-Saharan Region.
The decision of the Zambian Government to undertake the first PV project, came as a solution to the current power shortage estimated at a 560 MW due to the recent droughts that are hitting the country that heavily relies on hydropower.
“The Zambian Government is resolved to address the current hydro power shortages caused by low rainfall through active promotion and increased use of renewable energy technologies”, explained President Lunguinha who has told the IDC to develop 600 MW solar power projects throughout the country
The PV project is expected to be ready within the next two years, and developers are being evaluated and will be shortlisted within the next three months.
