Vice President Nalumango Commissions Solar Power Plant in Zambezi District

For the first time since independence, the residents of Chief Mpidi's chiefdom in the Zambezi District, North-Western Province, will have access to electricity. This achievement follows the commissioning of an off-grid solar power plant, launched by Vice President Mutale Nalumango on Monday 2nd December 2024. The project, undertaken by the Rural Electrification Authority (REA) has been constructed at over 10 million kwacha.

At the launch, Mrs Nalumango emphasised the government’s commitment to delivering electricity to areas outside the national grid. "Zambia is dedicated to achieving universal access to clean, reliable, and affordable energy by 2030, as enshrined in the Eighth National Development Plan and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal number seven," she stated.

Mrs Nalumango stressed the significance of off-grid solar projects in mitigating the effects of climate change, which have made hydropower electrical generation increasingly unreliable. She explains that “if we depend on hydropower, we will definitely not be able to achieve universal access to electricity. That is why we are innovating, that is why we have gone solar.”

Provincial Minister Robert Lihefu expressed his enthusiasm for the project, remarking its potential to drive progress in the district. He explained to the public that “the project ensures children can continue their education uninterrupted”. The development is planned to benefit public facilities such as schools, clinics and local households, improving the quality of life for the residents in the region.

Kenneth Muteto, a board member of the REA, reaffirmed the REA’s commitment to rural electrification. He noted that “our mandate is mammoth and cannot be achieved alone but with the support from the private sector and other cooperating partners, it is possible. We are working with local and international partners to undertake similar projects under the private sector initiative, which has now started bearing fruits. last month we commissioned the first five private sector-led mini-grids in the eastern province.”

Traditional leaders in the area expressed gratitude to the government for prioritising rural development under the new administration.

The off-grid solar power plant demonstrates Zambia’s ongoing efforts to expand energy access, enhancing education, healthcare and economic opportunities in the Zambezi District.