Zambia Adds 112MWp Solar Plant to Power Mining
The merchant solar facility will support regional industrial operations and the 12-nation Southern Africa Power Pool.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Energy
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Solarcentury Africa is set to construct the 112MWp Kusoka Solar Plant in Zambia to supply industrial mines and the regional power grid. This project operates as a merchant plant, meaning it will sell electricity directly to corporate clients and the Southern Africa Power Pool.
Why it matters
The project addresses a critical regional energy imbalance where seven of the 12 participating Southern Africa Power Pool nations lack sufficient capacity to meet domestic peak demand. By adding 112MWp to the grid, the plant supports industrial reliability while integrating into a broader, interconnected market.
The Kusoka plant adds 112MWp of generation capacity to an environment where Zambia holds an existing 224MW surplus. This follows the 2025 inauguration of the 100MW Kabwe solar facility in the region.
The players
Solarcentury Africa
An energy developer specializing in utility-scale solar projects and infrastructure across the African continent.
Southern Africa Power Pool
A collaborative energy market connecting the electrical grids of 12 regional countries to balance supply and demand.
The details
The Kusoka facility utilizes a merchant power model, which shifts away from traditional government-backed utility contracts to provide electricity directly to industrial operations like FQM Sentinel copper and Enterprise nickel mines. By integrating into the Southern Africa Power Pool, the plant contributes to a shared 60.7GW grid managed across 12 countries. This interconnectivity allows the plant to supply surplus power to neighbors where total peak demand of 50.8GW often strains local capacity.
Timeline
2025: Inauguration of the 100MW Kabwe solar power plant.
The Tech Race
The Kusoka Solar Plant follows the 2025 launch of the 100MW Kabwe site, signaling a rapid acceleration in Zambian renewable infrastructure. This development aims to bridge the deficit faced by seven SAPP nations struggling to meet peak electrical loads.
Industrial operators in Zambia, specifically FQM copper and nickel mines, will receive a diversified electricity supply once the plant connects to the grid. The merchant model also creates potential for regional grid stability, aiding countries currently facing chronic peak power deficits.
The takeaway
The Kusoka plant illustrates the expansion of merchant solar models to solve localized industrial power gaps in the SAPP region. Observers should track grid integration performance and subsequent commercial announcements as the facility nears grid synchronization.
Further reading
Explore ongoing shifts in continental infrastructure in our Energy section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by PV Tech.
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