Zambia Riverside Solar Power Station
The Zambia Riverside Solar Power Station is a 34 megawatts solar power plant in Zambia. The privately owned solar farm was originally commissioned in April 2018, as a 1 MW power station by Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC), who own the energy infrastructure. In December 2021, CEC signed a engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract with Sinohydro to expand the solar farm to 34 MW over the next 12 months. CEC plans to transmit and distribute the energy to its customers in the Copperbelt Province of Zambia.[1]
| Zambia Riverside Solar Power Station | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Country | Zambia |
| Location | Kitwe, Kitwe District, Copperbelt Province |
| Coordinates | 12°48′26″S 28°14′11″E |
| Status | Under construction |
| Construction began | December 2021 |
| Commission date | December 2022 Expected |
| Construction cost | US$19.2 million |
| Owner(s) | Copperbelt Energy Corporation |
| Operator(s) | Copperbelt Energy Corporation |
| Solar farm | |
| Type | Flat-panel PV |
| Power generation | |
| Nameplate capacity | 34 MW (46,000 hp) |
| Annual net output | 56.5GWh |
Location
The power station is located on a piece of property measuring 1.1 hectares (2.7 acres), adjacent to the main campus of Copperbelt University, in the Riverside neighborhood in the city of Kitwe.[1] Kitwe is approximately 358 kilometres (222 mi) north of Lusaka, the national capital.[2] The geographical coordinates of Zambia Riverside Solar Power Station are: 12°48'26.0"S, 28°14'11.0"E (Latitude:-12.807222; Longitude:28.236389).[3]
Overview
In April 2018, CEC commenced commercial use of its 1 MW solar power station in Kitwe, as an income-diversification enterprise. In December 2021, CEC contracted Sinohydro to expand the solar farm to 34 MW, with anticipated annual output of 56.5 GWh. The power station, whose original design consisted of 3,864 photovoltaic panels, each rated at 270 watts, was the first grid-connected solar plant in Zambia. The expansion includes construction of new 11kV evacuation transmission lines to a location where the energy will enter the CEC grid.[1][4]
Construction costs and timeline
The construction costs for the expansion are reported as US$19.2 million, paid by CEC. Construction is expected to last approximately one year and conclude during the fourth quarter of 2022.[4]
References
- Zambia Invest (13 December 2021). "Zambia Riverside Solar Power Plant to Be Expanded to 34MW". ZambiaInvest.com. Lusaka, Zambia. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
- Google (27 March 2022). "Road Distance Between Lusaka, Zambia And Kitwe, Zambia" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
- Google (27 March 2022). "Location of Zambia Riverside Solar Power Station" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
- Luska Times (20 November 2020). "CEC to increase power capacity for its Riverside solar plant". LuskaTimes.com. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
External links
- CEC, Sinohydro In Solar Project Deal As of 22 November 2022.