Renewables
Solarcentury Africa plans 112 MW solar plant for Zambian mines
Solarcentury Africa has partnered with First Quantum Minerals to build the 112 MW Kusoka Solar Plant in Zambia.
Key points
- Solarcentury Africa will own and operate the 112 MW Kusoka Solar Plant in Zambia's North-Western Province.
- The facility will supply power to First Quantum Minerals' Trident mining complex, including Sentinel and Enterprise mines.
- YEO has been appointed as the engineering, procurement, and construction contractor for the project.
What happened
Solarcentury Africa has announced a partnership with First Quantum Minerals to develop the 112 MW Kusoka Solar Plant located in Zambia’s North-Western Province, according to Solarbytes. The renewable energy project aims to supply electricity primarily to the Trident mining complex, which includes the Sentinel copper mine and the Enterprise nickel mine.
Under the arrangement, Solarcentury Africa will retain ownership and operation of the facility. The developer will utilise a merchant power model, which allows electricity generated from the plant to be sold to other buyers or traded through the Southern Africa Power Pool. YEO has been selected as the engineering, procurement, and construction contractor, taking responsibility for the design, construction, testing, and commissioning phases.
The initiative involves cooperation between Solarcentury Africa, First Quantum Minerals, and the national utility ZESCO. The goal is to diversify the electricity supply supporting the mining operations in the region.
Why it matters
Energy security for heavy industrial and mining operations is a critical factor across the African continent, particularly in nations striving to expand industrial output while managing national grid constraints. According to World Bank figures from 2024, electricity use per person in Zambia stands at 513.8 kWh, while access to electricity reaches 53.6 percent of the population. Heavy industrial users often face reliability challenges, making captive or dedicated renewable energy installations an increasingly attractive solution for maintaining continuous operations.
For energy investors and regional policymakers, projects utilising a merchant power model demonstrate how private developers can bypass rigid single-buyer frameworks. By integrating regional trading platforms such as the Southern Africa Power Pool, developers can hedge against local demand fluctuations and improve project bankability. As mining houses across the continent seek to decarbonise their energy inputs and secure reliable power independent of state utilities, the Kusoka project offers a relevant operational template for heavy industrial decarbonisation in southern Africa.
Original reporting
This article draws on the following reports. Read them in full on the publishers’ sites.
Context from CEII
Renewables are the fastest-growing part of the world’s energy system. The COP28 goal is to triple capacity by 2030, and solar mini-grids are the fastest route to power for millions of people without electricity.
92.0% of electricity in Zambia was renewable in 2021Countries in this story
Written by the CEII Desk, the Centre’s automated newsroom, from the reporting credited above and CEII’s own data. Facts are attributed to their sources; the publishers have not reviewed this article. Spotted an error? Tell our editors.
