- Ultra Green is set to begin the construction of a 200MWp solar plant in central Zambia this year.
- The plant is expected to be completed in no more than 18 months.
- The project s expected to cost $336m and employ 465.
Ultra Green Corporation Zambia is set to commence construction on a new solar power plant in September. According to the company’s managing director Emmanuel Mwizerwa, the Serenje solar PV plant will be constructed on a 448ha site in Kosamu and will have a capacity of 200MWp. The company expects construction to last for 15 to 18 months.
Ultra Green plans to invest $336 million in this project, including $216 million for the solar plant’s construction and $120 million for a transmission line that will connect the plant to the Pensulo substation. The construction is expected to provide employment for 465 people.
Ultra Green has obtained a concession agreement from the Zambian Ministry of Energy for the development of the plant. The IPP will have to sign a PPA with the state utility ZESCO before Ultra Green can bring the project online.
Zambia is increasingly diversifying its electricity mix. The country currently has several of solar plants in operation, including the Bangweulu (54 MWp) and Ngonye (34 MWp) solar plants. The Ministry of Energy has also granted concessions for the development of solar power plants to several developers, including Univergy Solar for 200 MWp, Elsewedy Electric and Tsusho, for two 100 MWp solar plants and Power China for three 600 MWp solar PV plants.