By 
President Hakainde Hichilema has commissioned the 28 MWp Solar PV Plant under Lunsemfwa Hydro Power Company (LHPC) in Central Province, expected to generate approximately 46.5 GWh of clean electricity annually.
The US$21.5 million project reached commercial operation in June 2026 with construction having commenced in May 2025, according to company authorities.
Speaking at the ceremony in Lunsemfwa valley on Wednesday, President Hichilema noted that Zambia needed more reliable and affordable electricity to power the economy, support industry, create jobs and improve the lives of the people.
He said the project demonstrated how the country could optimise its resources while protecting them for the future.
“By combining solar and hydropower, we are not only increasing generation capacity but also using our water resources more efficiently. This is the kind of investment we need to see more of as we work to build a stronger and more secure energy sector for Zambia,” President Hichilema stated.
The solar plant is jointly owned by Globeleq with 51percent and Wanda Gorge Investments with 49 percent and forms part of LHPC’s broader generation platform, which includes the 24 MW Power Station and the 32 MW Mulungushi Hydro Power Station, creating an integrated renewable energy portfolio of 83 MW.
“For generations, the Lunsemfwa and Mulungushi hydro stations have played an important role in Zambia’s energy story. Today’s commissioning honours that heritage while embracing the future,” said Tarcisio Chanda, Chairman of Wanda Gorge Investments.
Chanda said the project was one of the country’s first utility-scale integrations of solar generation with an existing hydropower system and the hybrid model would optimise the use of water resources by conserving water during periods of solar generation and dispatching hydropower when it is needed most.
“This project has been made possible through continued investment in generation capacity, long-term partnerships and a growing development pipeline, all coming together around a shared goal: delivering reliable power,” said Jonathan Hoffman, Chief Executive Officer of Globeleq.
Hoffman said current estimates indicated that the solar facility would enable the conservation of approximately 25 million cubic metres of water annually through this hybrid operating model.
“This integration of solar and hydropower creates more flexibility and resilient generation portfolio, allowing LHPC to serve its existing customers more efficiently while supporting future expansion opportunities across Zambia and the Southern African Power Pool,” said Alpha Mwala, Chief Executive Officer of LHPC.
Mwala said the project reflected a long-term commitment to Zambia and to developing practical energy solutions that strengthened the resilience of the power system and support economic growth.
He added that the company’s growth pipeline includes a 200 MWp solar portfolio and various hydropower expansions.
WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.
Comments