Enel switches on 34-MW solar plant in Zambia

Italian energy major Enel SpA (BIT:ENEL) inaugurated today a 34-MW solar photovoltaic (PV) farm in the south region of Zambia.

The given capacity is in direct current (DC).

The firm’s renewables subsidiary, Enel Green Power (EGP), has invested nearly USD 40 million (EUR 35.8m) in the Ngonye PV project. Located in the Lusaka South Multi-Facility Economic Zone, the Ngonye plant is owned by a special purpose vehicle 80% held by EGP and 20% by Zambia’s Industrial Development Corporation (IDC).

Part of the World Bank Group’s Scaling Solar programme, the PV plant is expected to generate around 70 GWh per year under a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA) signed with Zambia’s state-owned utility ZESCO. Ngonye would also be able to offset over 25,600 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) annually.

EGP secured the right to develop, finance, construct, own and operate the solar park in June 2016.

Zambia has a goal of installing up to 600 MW of solar power within two to three years.

(USD 1 = EUR 0.90)

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