Zambia’s 100 MW Maamba Solar Project Injects First Power into National Grid

Solar project enters commissioning phase as Zambia expands renewable generation capacity and diversifies its electricity mix

Zambia’s 100 MWac Maamba Solar PV Project has entered its commissioning phase after injecting electricity into the national grid for the first time on 24 September 2026, marking a major milestone for the utility-scale renewable energy project.

Developed by Maamba Solar Energy Limited (MSEL), the project is located in Maamba, Sinazongwe District, Southern Province, alongside the existing Maamba thermal power operations.

MSEL is jointly owned by ZCCM Investments Holdings (ZCCM-IH), which holds a 35% equity stake, and Nava Global PTE Limited, the international arm of India-listed Nava Limited, which owns the remaining 65%.

US$90 million solar project

The Maamba Solar project represents an investment of approximately US$90 million and uses bifacial photovoltaic modules mounted on single-axis tracking systems.

The tracking technology enables the solar panels to follow the sun throughout the day, increasing the amount of solar energy captured by the plant.

The facility also includes a dedicated 330 kV substation and grid-interconnection infrastructure, allowing electricity generated by the solar plant to be evacuated into Zambia’s national grid.

All electricity produced by the facility has been contracted to ZESCO under a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). The agreement provides a long-term offtake arrangement for the project’s generation at a tariff of US$0.078/kWh.

First power marks start of commissioning

The first injection of electricity does not yet represent full commercial operation.

The project has now moved into detailed commissioning and verification, which will involve testing the solar generation system and associated electrical and control infrastructure.

Testing will cover the PV generation system, single-axis trackers, inverters, medium-voltage collection network, 330 kV substation, protection and control systems, metering, supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA), communications systems and grid-interconnection facilities.

The plant will subsequently undergo synchronisation, reliability and performance testing, including verification of its ability to respond to grid requirements.

Commercial operation will follow once the remaining commissioning and performance requirements have been successfully completed.

ZCCM-IH said further updates would be provided as the project reaches additional commissioning milestones.

Solar capacity to support Zambia’s energy security

ZCCM-IH Chief Executive Officer Kakenenwa Muyangwa said the first power injection comes at an important time for Zambia, given the potential pressure that El Niño conditions can place on hydropower generation.

The additional 100 MW of solar capacity is expected to contribute to the country’s energy security while helping diversify Zambia’s electricity generation mix and reduce reliance on a single source of power.

Muyangwa also said ZCCM-IH’s investment in MSEL reflects the company’s commitment to strategic energy projects that can support economic growth and contribute to Zambia’s ambition of reaching 10,000 MW of electricity generation capacity.

Nava expands into utility-scale renewable energy

For Nava Limited, the Maamba Solar project represents its entry into utility-scale renewable energy and forms part of the company’s strategy to diversify beyond its traditional business interests.

The project also adds solar generation to Zambia’s electricity system, which remains heavily dependent on hydropower.

Its location alongside Maamba’s existing thermal power operations further strengthens the area’s role as an energy hub in Southern Province, bringing different generation technologies together at a single strategic location.

Maamba project adds renewable capacity

The first power injection from the Maamba Solar project represents another step in Zambia’s efforts to expand its electricity-generation capacity and diversify its energy mix.

Once fully commissioned, the 100 MWac solar facility will provide additional renewable electricity to the national grid under its long-term PPA with ZESCO.

The project must, however, complete the remaining synchronisation, reliability and performance testing before it can enter full commercial operation.

For Zambia’s power sector, the completion of these tests will be the next major milestone in bringing the new solar capacity into regular service.

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