President Hakainde Hichilema has commissioned a 28MW solar PV plant under Lunsemfwa Hydro Power Company in Central Province, a US$21.5 million project expected to generate roughly 46.5 GWh of clean electricity annually.
Combining Solar and Hydropower
The plant, developed by Lunsemfwa Hydro Power Company (LHPC) in the Lunsemfwa valley, reached commercial operation in June 2026 after construction began in May 2025. President Hichilema, represented at the ceremony by Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet Siazongo Siakalenge, said Zambia needs more reliable and affordable electricity to power its economy, support industry, create jobs and improve people’s lives, describing the project as an example of how the country can make better use of its resources while safeguarding them for the future.
He noted that pairing solar generation with existing hydropower infrastructure allows Zambia to expand capacity while using its water resources more efficiently, calling it the kind of investment needed to strengthen the country’s energy sector going forward.
Part of a Larger Growth Pipeline
LHPC Chief Executive Officer Alpha Mwala said combining solar and hydropower gives the company a more flexible and resilient generation portfolio, allowing it to serve existing customers more efficiently while supporting future expansion across Zambia and the wider Southern African Power Pool. He described the project as reflecting a long-term commitment to developing practical energy solutions, adding that LHPC’s broader growth pipeline includes a 200MW solar portfolio alongside further hydropower expansion plans.
The commissioning adds to a series of solar projects Hichilema has opened in Central Province this year, including the Chisamba Solar Power Plant’s second phase, as government continues working toward its target of 10,000MW of national generation capacity by 2030.
