Zambia: Hichilema Unveils 136MW Solar PV, Vows To Reclaim Lost Power Export Market

Zambia’s President, Hakainde Hichilema, has said that the recent drought, which limited the country’s ability to generate power from hydroelectric plants for both domestic consumption and export to neighboring countries, has taught Zambia a painful lesson.

In a bid to address the power supply situation, the Head of State said the government is ramping up investments in energy to reclaim the export markets lost to other countries.

President Hichilema was speaking during the commissioning of the 136-megawatt Itimpi II Solar Power Plant in Kitwe on Thursday, April 30, 2026.

He emphasized that recalling power exports had been costly, allowing competitors to take over Zambia’s markets.

“Calling back exports means giving away your market, which you have already secured, and someone else would take it,” President Hichilema said.

The President explained that Zambia’s economic growth depends heavily on exports, noting that the local market of about 21 million people is not enough to sustain the country’s ambitions.

“We have limited domestic consumer demand, and for us to grow our economy to the levels we want, we have to export,” he said.

President Hichilema added that the government is now aggressively pushing to increase electricity generation through a diversified energy mix, with solar power projects like Itimpi II playing a key role.

He noted that once Zambia stabilizes its power supply, the country will not only reclaim lost markets but also expand into new ones, particularly in neighboring regions.

“Where we sit here, we should be planning for Katanga, Lualaba, and Tanganyika,” he said.

Hichilema added that achieving the country’s target of 10,000 megawatts of electricity is critical, especially as sectors such as mining, agriculture, and tourism continue to demand more power.

He revealed that the mining sector alone would require about 8,000 megawatts to meet the target of producing three million tonnes of copper.

Meanwhile, Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC) board chairperson London Mwafulilwa described the commissioning of the 136-megawatt Itimpi II Solar Plant as a historic milestone, not only for the Copperbelt but for Zambia and the region.

“This project is not simply a corporate milestone; it is a national statement that Zambia can lead Africa’s clean energy transition,” Mwafulilwa said.

The board chairperson disclosed that the project had a direct impact on livelihoods, creating over 2,500 jobs during construction and more than 100 permanent positions for engineers and technicians.

CEC Chief Executive Officer Owen Silavwe noted that the 136-megawatt solar plant, built over 14 months, is currently the largest of its kind in the country and will generate about 275 gigawatt-hours of electricity annually.

“At a time when it matters most, this project will help close the national power supply gap and support key sectors such as mining and manufacturing,” Silavwe said.