Zambia Commissions 27-MWp Solar-Hydro Hybrid Plant

Globeleq and Lunsemfwa Hydro Power Company Limited (LHPC) have commissioned a 27-MWp solar power plant integrated with LHPC’s existing hydropower facilities in Zambia, creating the country’s first solar-hydro hybrid power project.

The project combines solar generation with an existing hydroelectric plant, allowing the two renewable sources to operate as complementary technologies within the same power system.

Globeleq said the project demonstrates how combining different renewable technologies can improve the reliability and sustainability of electricity generation.

The solar addition strengthens LHPC’s existing generation portfolio, which includes two hydropower plants with a combined capacity of 56 MW in Kabwe, Zambia’s Central Province.

Globeleq expands Zambia renewable portfolio through hydro acquisition

The commissioning follows Globeleq’s acquisition earlier this year of a 51% stake in LHPC.

Globeleq is owned by British International Investment and Norway’s Norfund and focuses on developing and operating power projects across Africa.

The acquisition gives the company an established hydropower platform in Zambia while creating an opportunity to add other renewable technologies to the portfolio.

The solar-hydro project is particularly significant because it does not rely on solar generation as a standalone source. Instead, the solar plant is integrated with an existing hydropower asset, allowing the technologies to complement each other as generation conditions change.

Globeleq is also developing a much larger renewable energy project in Zambia. In April, it launched the Leopards Hill project, which will combine a 250-MWp solar plant with a 150-MW/600-MWh battery energy storage system.

Together, the projects point to a broader shift in Zambia towards combining solar, hydropower and energy storage to expand renewable generation while improving the flexibility and reliability of the electricity system.