Zambia Successfully Commissions a 60-Megawatt Itimpi Solar Photovoltaic Power Station in Garneton, Kitwe.
The plant was unveiled by President Hakainde Hichilema, along with other dignitaries and stakeholders.
Developed by Copperbelt Energy Corporation Plc (CEC), a listed company on the Lusaka Securities Exchange, the Itimpi solar plant is expected to diversify its electricity portfolio in the country.
CEC’s Managing Director, Owen Silavwe, highlighted the significance of the project, remarking,
“The combination of our Itimpi and our Riverside Solar Plants will deliver a total annual energy output of 186 GWh. The drought we have experienced this year is a wake-up call for the energy sector to be at the center of driving lasting solutions that will ensure a consistent power supply to our economy at all times.”
The Itimpi Solar Photovoltaic Power Station is expected to offset 122,000 metric tons of carbon emissions annually, complementing CEC’s efforts to support Zambia’s nationally determined contribution to reducing carbon emissions.
The plant, equipped with tracking technology, has an annual generation capacity of 130 GWh and covers an area of 80 hectares with 109,144 mono-crystalline bifacial solar modules and 200 inverters.
The construction of the Itimpi Solar Photovoltaic Power Station, with an investment of over USD 53 million, was financed through the first tranche of CEC Renewables’ USD 200 million Green Bond listed on the Lusaka Securities Exchange.
CEC plans to access further tranches of the Green Bond to finance future solar developments with associated storage technology, including a planned 126 MW solar plant on the same site, scheduled for construction in 2025.
CEC’s investment in renewable energy sources underscores its commitment to corporate social responsibility and environmental stewardship.
During the construction phase of the Itimpi project, over 1,220 skilled and unskilled workers were employed, and CEC partnered with the Forestry Department to provide earning opportunities for wood merchants from the trees felled during land clearance.
The commissioning of the Itimpi Solar Photovoltaic Power Station marks a significant milestone in CEC’s journey towards a diversified and sustainable energy mix, solidifying its position as a leader in the energy transmission sector and contributing to Zambia’s efforts to achieve its sustainable development goals.
Zambia’s installed generation capacity reaches 3356.6 MW, dominated by 83% hydro, 9% coal, 5% heavy fuel oil, and 3% solar PV.
