US awards grant for 130-MW wind project in Zambia

The US government has awarded USD 1.05 million (EUR 889m) in financing for a study that will explore the feasibility for a 130-MW wind project in Zambia.

The grant will be provided by the US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) to wind project developer Access Zambia Wind One Ltd and its partner EREN Renewable Energy, the agency said last week. Access Zambia, which is a unit of Dubai-based firm Access Power, will select a US company to carry out the study through a competitive process.

Upon completion, the proposed 130-MW wind farm is expected to be the first independent wind power production facility in Zambia. To be owned and operated by Access Power and EREN, it is scheduled for commissioning in 2019. The plant is anticipated to generate about 500 GWh of electricity annually.

The wind project will enable Zambia to diversify its energy mix, acting director Thomas R Hardy said in a statement. The country currently relies mainly on hydropower plants (HPPs) generation, which accounts for 96% of its total power production.

(USD 1.0 = EUR 0.847)

Choose your newsletter by Renewables Now. Join for free!