By 
President Hakainde Hichilema has officially commissioned a 100-megawatt solar power plant in Chisamba, reaffirming his government’s commitment to positioning electricity exports as a key driver of Zambia’s economic growth while safeguarding domestic energy needs.
Speaking during a site tour of the Chisamba Solar Project on Monday, Hichilema said electricity exports were critical for boosting the country’s foreign exchange earnings, but emphasised that local demand would not be compromised.
“Electricity exports are very important for a country like ours because they bring in the much-needed earnings. But even as we export, we must ensure that our people at home are not left in the dark,” Hichilema said.
He reiterated his administration’s resolve to transform Zambia into an energy-surplus nation within the next three years through deliberate investments in diverse and sustainable energy sources.
“The direction we have taken is clear — we are diversifying our energy mix. We don’t want to depend entirely on hydro. We have seen the effects of droughts and climate change on our generation capacity,” he noted.
Hichilema disclosed that the government was targeting to add at least 1,000 megawatts of solar energy to the national grid within this year as part of a broader strategy to achieve energy security and create capacity for consistent electricity exports.
“This year alone, we are targeting 1,000 megawatts of solar energy. Once that is done, Zambia will not only meet domestic demand but will also have enough to export consistently,” he said.
The Head of State described the Chisamba Solar Plant as a significant milestone in the country’s renewable energy drive and called on the private sector to actively participate in scaling up Zambia’s energy generation capacity.
“We want the private sector to come in. Government alone cannot deliver this target. Partnerships like the one we are witnessing here in Chisamba are a clear demonstration of what we can achieve together,” he stated.
Hichilema further assured citizens that his government remained attentive to their energy needs and is determined to improve electricity access for households, industries, social services and other key sectors.
“As we build for export, we are also building for our homes, for our businesses, for our hospitals, schools, and the entire economy,” he affirmed.
The Chisamba Solar Plant forms part of Zambia’s ambitious plan to expand renewable energy production and reduce overreliance on hydropower, which has been adversely affected by prolonged droughts and climate change in recent years.
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