Solarcentury Africa will build and operate the 112 megawatt-peak (MWp) Kusoka solar plant in Zambia’s North-Western Province, selling power mainly to First Quantum Minerals’ Sentinel copper and Enterprise nickel mines. It would exceed the 100-megawatt Kabwe plant, opened in 2025 as Zambia’s largest standalone solar installation, and may also sell to other buyers or into the Southern African Power Pool. Mines used about 63% of Zambia’s electricity in 2025, according to regulator data cited by Agence Ecofin, and the 2024 drought pushed them to seek supply beyond the state utility ZESCO. A merchant plant selling directly to mines depends on grid access rules adopted in 2024 and on financing, which the partners have not disclosed.
Sources
- Agence Ecofin: https://www.ecofinagency.com/news-industry/3010-60316-zambia-s-mining-power-demand-drives-new-112-mw-solar-project-to-reduce-shortage-risks
- PV Tech: https://www.pv-tech.org/solarcentury-africa-build-112mw-zambian-solar-pv-project/
- Green Building Africa: https://www.greenbuildingafrica.co.za/solarcentury-africa-and-first-quantum-minerals-team-up-on-112-mwp-kusoka-solar-plant-in-zambia/