40MW Kabwe Makombe Solar

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A strategically positioned 40MW solar asset targeting Zambia’s North-South Backbone. Engineered for Open Access bilateral trade to high-demand mining off-takers.

Project

KABWE ONE SOLAR PLANT

Our flagship project in Kabwe is a strategic early-stage development asset. Positioned directly on Zambia's primary logistics and transmission corridor, 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 high-demand mining off-takers.

Project Snapshot

Project Name:
KABWE ONE
Target Capacity:
40 MWac / 48 MWp
Location:
Makombe Farms, Kabwe District, Central Province (Adjacent to Great North Road)
Land Status:
50 Hectares (Exclusivity Secured via Option Agreement)
Grid Interconnection:
Proximate to ZESCO 330kV/66kV/33kV Transmission Backbone (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 Farms along the Great North Road, this 50-hectare site offers Tier-1 solar irradiation (~2,150 kWh/m²/year) and direct proximity to the ZESCO 330kV/66kV/33kV transmission backbone. 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 Farms, Kabwe.

  • Capacity: The site geometry is optimized for a standalone 40 MWac (48 MWp) fixed-tilt array, with zero shading obstructions.

  • 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 primary geographic advantage is its positioning directly on Zambia’s primary logistics and power corridor.

  • Technical Reality: The site is bisected by the ZESCO National Transmission Backbone (330kV/66kV/33kV). We are targeting a Direct Line Tap (T-Off/LILO) interconnection to minimize external transmission CAPEX.

  • Validation: Final grid interconnection mechanics, thermal capacity, and voltage stability remain strictly subject to the pending Grid Impact Study (GIS). We do not assume grid viability; we engineer it.

Commercial Strategy: Open Access

Kabwe One is structured around Zambia’s new Open Access Regulations (SI No. 40 of 2024), enabling direct bilateral power trade with creditworthy industrial consumers.

  • 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.

  • The Urgency: With growing industrial demand for reliable power to support the national 3 Million Tonne Copper target, Kabwe One 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.

  • 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).

  • 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

Kabwe One 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 Makombe site possesses sufficient total acreage to expand by an additional 100MW in the future, providing long-term upside beyond the immediate 40MW scope.

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 introduced progressive regulatory reforms to accelerate private sector participation in the energy generation landscape.

The Investment Opportunity

Flexible Commercial Structure.

Kabwe One is designed to capitalise on Zambia’s new “Open Access” regulatory framework (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:

  • Growing Demand: A structural national energy supply gap creates sustained demand for new independent power generation.

  • Regulatory Support: A pro-investment environment with clear frameworks for “Open Access” grid utilisation.

  • Strategic Offtake: A flexible commercial model allowing for optimised PPA structures that align with investor and lender requirements.

  • Fiscal Incentives: 0% Import Duty on Solar Equipment and strong government support for renewable energy infrastructure.

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