In the early morning light of Chisamba, a quiet farming town in central Zambia, the sun rises like it always has, steady, generous, and full of promise. But now, that same sun is doing something different. It’s not just warming the soil; it’s powering lives.
Pic courtesy: Zesco
Recently Zambia flipped the switch on one of its boldest energy ventures yet: a 100-megawatt solar power plant that now sends clean electricity across homes, businesses, and one of the region’s largest copper mines. It’s more than an infrastructure project; it’s a statement.
“We are no longer just waiting for the rains to power our dams. We are turning to the sun — to take control of our energy future,” President Hakainde Hichilema.
From Load Shedding to Light
For decades, Zambia has depended heavily on hydropower. But droughts, worsened by climate change, have crippled generations, leaving thousands of households in darkness and small businesses struggling to keep doors open.
Now, with this plant built by PowerChina and ZESCO, a new source of hope is humming quietly across Chisamba. The energy it produces will feed directly into the national grid, offsetting load shedding and powering tens of thousands of homes, including the small grocers, welders, and internet cafes that keep Zambian towns alive.
The Solar Shift Begins
But this isn’t just about Zambia. This is about a continental shift. In the face of global energy transitions, Zambia is declaring that Africa will not wait to be powered; it will power itself.
With a second phase already planned to double the capacity to 200 MW, and 1,000 MW of solar targeted by 2025, Zambia is charting a clean energy path that other African nations are watching closely.
Jobs, Innovation, and New Possibilities
The Chisamba plant has already created over 1,200 jobs during construction and will provide long-term opportunities for local technicians and energy experts.
Video courtesy: ZNBC
But the ripple effect is where the real story begins:
- A tomato farmer in Mazabuka can now refrigerate her produce without fear of daily power cuts.
- An ed-tech startup in Lusaka can keep its servers running smoothly through the night.
- A youth cooperative in Kabwe can begin experimenting with solar-powered welding tools.
Zambia’s clean energy shift is more than climate-smart. It’s business-smart. It’s future-smart.
Powering Africa’s Next Chapter
Zambia’s 100 MW solar milestone is a message to Africa and the world: we are no longer just extracting minerals; we are building power. Not just for the mines, but for the people.
And as the panels shimmer in the sun, row upon row, there’s a quiet confidence rising with them that Africa’s energy story can be rewritten. Locally. Sustainably. Boldly.
Because sometimes, the future begins with one sunrise and the decision to harness its power.
