The Industrial Development Corporation of Zambia, a domestic development finance institution wholly owned by the Zambian government, has partnered with IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, to explore development of two 50 MW solar PV independent power projects through the Scaling Solar program.

The projects would be Zambia’s first utility scale PV projects, providing competitively priced, clean power that would reduce Zambia’s dependence on hydro resources and diversify the country’s energy supply mix.

Zambian President Edgar Chagwa Lungu has directed IDC Zambia to develop at least 600 MW of solar power in the shortest possible time to address the current power crisis.

IDC Zambia anticipates that the first two projects, with a combined initial target capacity of 100MW, will create the opportunity for subsequent expansion and the rapid scale-up in renewable energy generating capacity in Zambia.

President Lungu, who is also the Board Chair of IDC Zambia, said: “The Zambian government is resolved to address the current hydro power shortages caused by low rainfall through active promotion and increased use of renewable energy technologies.”

The national power generation deficit stands at around 560 MW, whereas scheduled power outages are already having a negative impact on homes and businesses.

The proposed projects would be situated on separate sites and developed by different private sector sponsors, based on open and transparent selections.

It is expected that both projects would engage Zambian partners in the ownership structure.

The commercial structure is expected to follow IFC’s recently-launched Scaling Solar initiative.

IDC Zambia and IFC will seek to negotiate a formal advisory mandate within the next few weeks, under which IFC will be appointed as lead transaction advisor to IDC Zambia for the development of the projects.

Once this mandate is in place, project development will commence, with requests for prequalification expected to be issued to prospective developers within three months.

Oumar Seydi, IFC Director for Eastern and Southern Africa, said: “IFC is developing this partnership with IDC Zambia to deliver affordable renewable energy that can mitigate the country’s ongoing energy crisis. The Scaling Solar program enables us to apply the full range of World Bank Group services to address Zambia’s challenges quickly and sustainably.”