HH to Break Ground at Maamba Thermal Energy Plant

President Hakainde Hichilema will be in Sinazongwe District in Southern Province today at a ground breaking ceremony for the construction of Maamba Energy’s new thermal power plant.

The $400 million project is the second such thermal power plant at Maamba’s site. Construction is expected to last until July 2026 and the plant will be capable of producing 300MW of electricity - about 12.5% of Zambia’s total energy demand.

Thermal energy generation works by pumping water deep underground, where the natural heat and pressure of the earth turns the water into steam, which is in turn used to drive generators. It is a 100% renewable power source with no carbon emissions at the point of generation.

Crucially, the power plant will help to increase Zambia’s total power supply and reduce the country’s reliance on hydroelectric energy, which has contributed towards the current power shortages during this unprecedented period of drought.

Given the increased risk of drought in the future due to climate change, government is investing in long term solutions to make Zambia’s energy sector more resilient. This includes projects such as the Maamba thermal plant.