21/07/2026
HH to Commission 100MW Chisamba Phase II Solar Plant
President Hakainde Hichilema is expected in Chisamba District on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, to commission Phase II of the Chisamba Solar Power Plant.
The newly completed 100-megawatt facility, valued at approximately US$70 million, will double the Chisamba solar complex’s total generation capacity from 100MW to 200MW.
Central Province Permanent Secretary Dr Milner Mwanakampwe said President Hichilema is expected to arrive in the district at around 09:30 hours to officially commission the project.
Phase II was constructed next to the first 100MW plant, which President Hichilema commissioned on June 30, 2025. The first phase was developed by the Kariba North Bank Extension Power Corporation, a subsidiary of ZESCO, with PowerChina serving as the engineering and construction contractor.
Construction of the second phase reportedly took about seven months, with the project reaching 96 percent completion by early July 2026.
Once commissioned, the two phases will enable Chisamba District to contribute a combined 200MW of solar electricity to the national grid, strengthening Zambia’s energy security and reducing the country’s heavy dependence on hydropower, which has been affected by recurring droughts.
The project forms part of the Government’s broader programme to diversify Zambia’s energy mix, increase renewable-energy generation and provide more reliable electricity to households, businesses and industries.
The additional 100MW will also support grid stability and move the country closer to its target of generating at least 1,000MW of solar energy.