The Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC) expects its solar PV footprint to rise threefold to 300 megawatts (MW) by 2027 as it supports Zambia’s push for more renewable energy sources to mitigate the increasing impact of drought on electricity generation, according to a top company official.
CEC, a pioneer in solar development and financing, currently has an installed capacity of 98MW of solar photovoltaic (PV) plants at its hub in Kitwe, which will be expanded by an additional 136MW once the Itimpi II project is commissioned.
Appearing on a ZCCM-IH-sponsored radio programme on state broadcaster ZNBC Radio 2 yesterday, CEC Head of Government Relations Silvester Hibajene called for patience as the country emerges from a historic drought that reduced hydropower generation by close to 80 percent last year.
Mr. Hibajene explained that while the Zambezi River basin has in recent years been hit by repeated droughts that have prevented Lake Kariba from replenishing to a capacity that supports maximum power generation, the Kafue River basin is also increasingly receiving reduced amounts of rainfall—a trend he described as worrying.
The Kafue River has three hydropower generation points: Kafue Gorge (990MW), Kafue Gorge Lower (750MW), and the 120MW at Itezhi Tezhi Dam, giving Zambia a combined installed hydroelectric generation capacity of over 1,800MW.
Mr. Hibajene explained that although solar PV generation has its own limitations, as it depends on the availability of sunshine, it provides the best solution to support power generated from hydroelectric sources as well as thermal power plants.
“For us to reach a stage where we can bridge the current national deficit, which is about 1,400MW, we probably need 2,000MW of solar PV, but our power system can’t absorb that because it would cause a lot of instability; our limit is about 1,000MW of solar PV at the moment,” Mr. Hibajene said.
“My appeal to consumers is that we still need patience. Let us see what happens in the next rainy season. We need to pray that we have good rainfall in the next rainy season, and then, hopefully, after that point, we should be in a better position. My view is that around this time next year, we should be in a better place, especially as Maamba Energy is also ramping up power generation to 600MW from the current 300MW.”
Mr. Hibajene, who commended the progressive energy reforms of the government in the last couple of years, congratulated ZESCO and the government of President Hakainde Hichilema for commissioning the 100MW Chisamba Solar PV project last Monday, the first of its kind by ZESCO.
He said CEC will continue to play a key role in pioneering the development of solar PV projects to contribute to Zambia’s energy security.
“CEC has as much as 300 megawatts in the solar space to be developed in the next couple of years, most of it by next year, but it will also extend into 2027. So, we are responding to the challenges that are there,” said Mr. Hibajene.
During the same programme, ZCCM-IH Investment Analyst Mukuka Mapemba said the investment wing of the government is refocusing its strategy to prioritize investments in the mining and energy sectors.
Ms. Mapemba said that last year, ZCCM-IH invested US $10 million in CEC Renewables through its inaugural US $200 million green bond listed on the Lusaka Securities Exchange, with proceeds from the capital raise going towards the development of renewable projects in Kitwe.
“Renewable energy is a crucial strategic pillar for ZCCM-IH, and given the company’s renewed focus on mining and energy investments through the energy and mineral beneficiation team, ZCCM-IH will lead the development of several renewable energy projects through various strategic partnerships,” said Ms. Mapemba.
Kalemba July 4, 2025
