Hope rises for improved electricity supply in Luapula Province as Mabumba solar power plant nears completion

Construction of the 50-megawatt Mabumba Solar Power Plant in Mansa District is progressing steadily, with authorities projecting that the facility will ease load-shedding in Luapula Province once operational.

Luapula Province Minister, Nason Musonda, said during a site inspection on May 5, 2025, that the project—being implemented by ZESCO Limited in partnership with China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC)—is on track to meet its 12-month completion target.

“This project will meet Luapula’s daytime energy needs and contribute excess power to the national grid,” Musonda said, adding that the plant will play a key role in mitigating the effects of reduced hydropower generation caused by the 2023/2024 drought.

CMEC Site Commercial Manager, Lewis Liu, said 40 percent of piling works had been completed and that pre-commissioning was scheduled for November 2025.

Permanent Secretary, Prudence Chinama, confirmed visible progress, while UPND Provincial Chairperson Alfred Mwape said the project had already created over 60 jobs and aligned with President Hakainde Hichilema’s commitment to end load-shedding.

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