By: Renewables Now

Zambia has completed the procurement process for the construction of 156 solar power plants with a combined capacity of 312 MW under a government initiative aimed at strengthening energy security through decentralised power generation.

The ministry of local government and rural development has secured contractors to develop 2-MW solar facilities in each of the country's 156 constituencies under the Presidential Constituency Energy Initiative.

The programme represents an estimated investment of about USD 232 million (EUR 199.3m), according to Permanent Secretary for Technical Services Nicholas Phiri, who spoke during a site visit and preparatory engagements for a ground-breaking ceremony in Eastern Province.

Phiri said the project follows president Hakainde Hichilema's announcement last year to invest in renewable energy infrastructure to improve national energy security through decentralised power generation.

Eastern Province is expected to receive around 32 MW of solar capacity under the programme, with investments estimated at more than USD 23 million.

(USD 1 = EUR 0.859)