Zambia’s power utility, Zesco Limited, signed agreements with 29 independent power producers on Tuesday to generate 332 megawatts of solar power, marking a significant step towards diversifying the country’s energy mix.

The solarization project is expected to benefit refugee settlements in Lusaka, the country’s capital, Mantapala Refugee Settlement in the northern part of the country, and Meheba Refugee Settlement in the western part of the country.

According to SEforALL, ZEDSI intends to foster economic growth in rural areas through reliable solar mini-grids, optimised mini-grid business models and the deployment of replicable, scalable energy solutions in rugged rural environments.

THE Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) is calling upon suppliers of alternative energy products such as solar equipment to pass on the benefits derived from tax incentives to end users by charging reasonable and affordable prices.

Zambia’s traditional energy sources have mainly been hydropower generated from Kariba and ItezhiTezhi power stations, among others, with mixes of thermal power solutions from Maamba and emerging solar energy and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) solutions.

The solar powered hammer mill is designed with the needs of rural and off-grid communities in mind. Unlike traditional mills that rely on the national electrical grid or fuel engines, this hammer mill operates solely on solar power, making it an ideal solution for areas without electricity.