MySol obtains $7.5m for off-grid solar electrification

Another key sector covered by the subsidy agreements between Germany and Zambia is renewable energy. Berlin is funding the second phase of the Get FiT Zambia programme, which aims to develop renewable energies with the support of the private sector, in particular independent power producers (IPPs). As part of this programme, Lusaka expects to purchase 200 MW of renewable energy capacity, divided into a 100 MW solar photovoltaic cycle and a 100 MW cycle of small hydroelectric power stations.

However, since the announcement of the results of the first calls for tenders in 2019, there has been little progress on the programme. For the record, the Zambian authorities selected Italy’s Building Energy and South Africa’s Pele Energy to build two 20 MW solar power plants in Bulemu East and West, in central Zambia. The UK company Globeleq and South Africa’s Aurora Power Solutions had bid to build the Aurora Sola 1 and 2 solar power plants, with a combined capacity of 40 MW. The Garneton Nouth and South Solar plants (20 MW) planned for central Zambia were awarded to the French company InnoVent and Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC), a Zambian company. German funding will certainly help to unblock these renewable energy projects.