40MW Makombe Solar Plant
A strategically positioned 40MW solar asset in Central Province, Zambia. Engineered for Open Access bilateral trade with creditworthy industrial off-takers in the Copperbelt mining sector.
MAKOMBE SOLAR PLANT
Our flagship project at Makombe Farm in Chibombo District is a strategic early-stage development asset. Positioned in Zambia's Central Province with a clear pathway to ZESCO grid interconnection, this project serves as the blueprint for our Open Access strategy: leveraging deep local grid integration expertise to deliver a structurally sound, high-yield asset to creditworthy mining off-takers.
Project Snapshot
Project Name:
40MW MAKOMBE SOLAR PLANT
Target Capacity:
40 MWac / 48 MWp
Location:
Makombe Farm, Chibombo District, Central Province
Land Status:
50 Hectares (Exclusivity Secured via Option Agreement)
Grid Interconnection:
Dedicated transmission line (~14km) to existing ZESCO Chibombo substation. 11kV on-site supply for construction power. Final design subject to pending Grid Impact Study.
Technology:
Monocrystalline Bifacial PV (Fixed Tilt)
Development Status:
Pre-Development (ZEMA ESIA & Grid Impact Studies planned as first activities)
Legal Status:
Developed by Zubalight Energy Ltd. (EIZ Registered Engineering Firm)
Strategic Energy
Located at Makombe Farm in Chibombo District, this 50-hectare site offers Tier-1 solar irradiation (approximately 2,185 kWh/m²/year, Solargis-confirmed) and a clear pathway to the ZESCO grid via a dedicated transmission line of approx. 14km to the existing Chibombo substation. Final grid interconnection mechanics remain subject to the pending Grid Impact Study (GIS).
PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
Pre Development Milestones
Land Asset & Secure Tenure (50 Hectares)
Zubalight has structured an Exclusive Land Option Agreement for a 50-hectare commercial parcel at Makombe Farm, Chibombo District.
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Capacity: The site geometry is optimized for a standalone 40 MWac (48 MWp) fixed-tilt array, with zero shading obstructions.
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Security: This is private leasehold land. This ensures a clean, rapid, and bankable title transfer to the Project SPV strictly upon achieving Financial Close.
Grid Interconnection
The project’s grid interconnection strategy has been informed by a preliminary grid assessment conducted by our CTO, the former Director of Distribution & Supply at ZESCO.
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Technical Reality: The site will be connected to the ZESCO grid via a dedicated transmission line of approximately 14km to the existing Chibombo substation (33/11kV). An 11kV ZESCO distribution supply already exists on the property for construction power. Final voltage level and conductor sizing for the evacuation line will be determined through the Grid Impact Study.
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Validation: Thermal capacity, voltage stability, and final design parameters remain strictly subject to the pending Grid Impact Study (GIS). We do not assume grid viability; we engineer it.
Commercial Strategy: Open Access
The 40MW Makombe Solar Plant is structured around Zambia’s new Open Access Regulations (SI No. 40 of 2024), enabling direct bilateral power trade with creditworthy industrial consumers.
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The Model: This regulatory framework legally permits Zubalight to wheel power across the national grid directly to USD-paying, high-credit consumers (Mining Majors) or trade via the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) using aggregators like GreenCo.
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The Urgency: With growing industrial demand for reliable power to support the national 3 Million Tonne Copper target, the 40MW Makombe Solar Plant offers a targeted, private-to-private power solution.
The Technical Leadership
Zubalight Energy Ltd. is a Registered Engineering Organisation (EIZ), bringing deep grid integration expertise to every project.
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Executive Team: Our executive leadership includes the former Director of Distribution at ZESCO (who managed the national grid) and a former Project Manager at the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC).
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Our leadership team brings first-hand experience of ZESCO grid code compliance and Zambian statutory requirements, having worked within these frameworks at the highest levels.
Scalable Energy Platform
The 40MW Makombe Solar Plant is the structural proof-of-concept for our wider IPP strategy. By standardizing the private land acquisition, permitting, and Open Access wheeling models here, we are creating a replicable framework.
Furthermore, the broader Makombe Farm estate comprises approximately 1,300 hectares, providing a clear pathway for expansion to 500MW+ of solar capacity on a single estate, with a 100MW Phase 2 development already agreed in principle with the landowner.
TIMING IS EVERYTHING
The National Context
A High-Growth Energy Market.
Zambia is experiencing a surge in industrial energy demand, driven by a national mandate to triple copper production to 3 million tonnes annually. To support this economic expansion, the Government has set a target of 1,000 MW of installed solar capacity within a broader 10,000 MW total generation goal by 2030, backed by progressive regulatory reforms accelerating private sector participation in the energy landscape.
The Investment Opportunity
Flexible Commercial Structure.
The 40MW Makombe Solar Plant is designed to capitalise on Zambia’s new “Open Access” regulatory framework (SI No. 40 of 2024). This forward-looking policy allows Independent Power Producers (IPPs) to structure Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) that best suit all stakeholders. We offer the flexibility to engage with a diverse range of offtakers, including the National Utility (ZESCO), regional aggregators (like GreenCo), or private mining corporates.
KEY MARKET HIGHLIGHTS:
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Growing Demand: A structural national energy supply gap creates sustained demand for new independent power generation.
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Regulatory Support: A pro-investment environment with clear frameworks for “Open Access” grid utilisation.
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Strategic Offtake: A flexible commercial model allowing for optimised PPA structures that align with investor and lender requirements.
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Fiscal Incentives: 0% Import Duty on Solar Equipment and strong government support for renewable energy infrastructure.