The Government of Zambia has signed agreements for a second deal with World Bank Group’s Scaling Solar for the development of a total of 500MW of renewable power in the East African country.
The decision was made following successful auctions held in May last year. The government will develop two solar photovoltaic (PV) facilities with power generation capacity of up to 50MW each.
Scaling Solar is the World Bank Group's programme to support developing countries in acquiring low-cost, privately-financed solarpower.
Currently, potential developers and Zambian Government agencies are working to conclude their deals, which are expected to be finalised in May this year.
Commencing with an initial procurement round of up to 200MW of utility-scale clean electricity, the new Scaling Solar mandate will have subsequent rounds aiming to develop 500MW of renewable energy. The request for qualifications for round two is expected to be released in late March this year.
International Finance Corporation's (IFC) Eastern and Southern Africa director Oumar Seydi said: “The partnership between Scaling Solar and Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) Zambia is successfully delivering the affordable renewable energy needed to ease the country’s ongoing energy crisis.
“Access to electricity is vital for achieving development goals. In Zambia, Scaling Solar has helped create a market that will make it easier for the public and private sectors to work together to meet the country’s energy needs and expand opportunities for families and businesses.”
The new mandate will be led by IDC Zambia and the Ministry of Energy.
