Two $350m power plants set for Luapula
ZAMBIA Development Agency (ZDA) has signed an investment promotion and protection agreement with CGM Power Group Limited for the constriction of $350 million photovoltaic (PV) power plants in northern circuit.
CGM Power Group Limited would set up PV solar plants in Mansa and Chipili districts.
Sargunan Gangadharan, the CGM Power Group director and board member, explained that as an Independent Power Producer (IPP), his firm’s contribution would be beyond addressing the needs of off-takers but contribute to the bigger picture of industrialisation.
“It is with this and many objectives that our management thought of undertaking exploratory studies in the northern circuit and model the deployment of up to 350 megawatts through PV solar over a period of seven years from 2022,” Mr Gangadharan said.
He said the scaled PV solar project would start with one PV solar power plant in Mwansa district of Luapula province.
Mr Gangadharan said the Mansa PV solar power plant under the first phase was designed at 50mw with storage.
“The inclusion of battery storage is a plus for the electricity sector in Zambia under the drive for an energy mix by the Government of Zambia. Battery electricity storage is a key technology in the world’s transition to a sustainable energy system,” he said.
Mr Gangadharan said the Mansa project would be followed by a 50Mw PV solar power plant backed by battery storage as well in Chipili district.
ZDA board chairman David Masupa commended CGM Power Group for contributing to the development of the local community and business environment in Luapula province.
The project would have a provision of skills training to members of the community to give them the necessary skills to farm specified crops.