10MW SALIMA SOLAR POWER PROJECT TO BE READY BY DECEMBER 2025

The first 10 megawatts of EGENCO’s 50 megawatts Salima Solar Power Plant will be commissioned in December this year, according to EGENCO’s Civil Engineer, Alexis Ali.

Ali revealed this during a briefing with members of parliament from a joint parliamentary committee on Agriculture & Food Security and Natural Resources & Climate Change when they visited the project site at Nanjoka in Salima on 8 March 2025 to appreciate its progress and potential impact on the country’s energy and agriculture sectors.

“We have finalized all the earthworks and over thirty containers of construction equipment and materials have already been shipped on site including over 22, 000 solar panels.” Said Ali.

The multi-phase solar power project which is aimed at diversifying EGENCO’s energy sources and increasing the country’s power generation capacity will also have a battery energy storage system for storing excess energy, allowing consistent and reliable power supply even when sunlight is not available.

Speaking on behalf of the joint parliamentary committee, legislator Werani Chilenga, who also chairs the Natural Resources & Climate Change Committee described the tour as eye-opening but urged the Company to further diversify its energy sources.

“We urge the Company to diversify its energy sources to other potential sites of power generation such as Wovwe, Ruo and lower Fufu rivers.” Said Chilenga.

Agreeing with Chilenga, EGENCO’s Chief Executive Officer, Eng. Dr. Maxon Chitawo lobbied for the MPs support in implementing its 300MW coal fired power plant at Kamwamba, Zalewa, in Neno district, describing it as a game-changer.

“We will need your support in sourcing financing for the 300MW Kammwamba coal fired power plant as this will be a game changer in the country’s energy sector and economy.” Said Chitawo.

With only an installed generation capacity of 441.95MW mostly comprising of hydro power plants along the Shire river, EGENCO intends to increase its generation capacity and diversify its energy sources.