Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
President Edgar Lungu has commissioned the 54 Megawatts Bangweulu solar power plant in the Lusaka South Multi facility Economic Zone which has been constructed at a cost of US$56 million.
The Bangweulu solar plant which is expected to power nearly 30, 000 households is the first ever large scale solar plant in Zambia.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, President Lungu thanked the financiers, developers and all stakeholders who have made the solar plant a reality.
He has since directed the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) to accelerate all other renewable energy projects which are in the pipeline.
The President has also observed the need for ZESCO to co-exist with the private sector in developing the Country’s energy sector.
He has noted that the private sector in the Country has shown great appetite to invest in power generation.
The Head of State notes that with the high demand for power in Zambia and in the region, there is need to leverage this opportunity by attracting more players in the Country’s energy sector.
Speaking at the same ceremony IDC Chief Executive Officer Mateyo Kaluba assured President Lungu that the next solar plants will not take long as the commissioned Bangweulu solar power plant has taken.
And Neoen Chief Executive Officer Xavier Barbaro says the Bangweulu solar plant is one of the biggest solar power plants his company, which is based in France, has worked on in Africa so far.
Meanwhile French and US Ambassadors to Zambia Sylvain Berger and Daniel Foote have offered their countries’ support to Zambia’s venture into renewable energy.
Mr. Berger says France has more companies that can partner with IDC in the energy sector while Mr. Foote called for continued commitment to investment in renewable energy in Zambia.
The Bangweulu solar power plant currently has 453, 000 solar modules and will inject approximately 100 gigawatts of electricity into the national grid annually at a tariff of US 60 cents per megawatt hour.