Japanese firm to invest 200 megawatts solar power in Zambia

A JAPANESE firm, Univergy Solar is set to invest over 200 million United States dollars in two solar power generation plants in Zambia.
Univergy Solar Company will develop and implement a 200 megawatts solar power on grid project; 135 Megawatts in Mpika and 65 Megawatts in Mufulira districts respectively.
Zambia’s Ministry of Energy and Univergy Solar Company will on Tuesday, October 29, 2019 sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will result in the commencement of the project in the first quarter of 2020, and will be completed between 6 and 8 months.
The solar power project will be implemented in collaboration with a Zambian company and is expected to create hundreds of jobs and business opportunities for local firms engaged to maintain the solar farms and generation plants.
Univergy Solar Company which has a wide footprint in Japan and Spain also plans to offer various energy solutions to Zambia, which include off grid power generation and self-consumption energy strategies targeted at districts, companies, and important installations.
The project follows several engagements between the Embassy and Univergy Solar Company’s team led by Chief Global Development Officer, Jose Antonio Millan Ruano.
The planned investment has elated Zambia’s Ambassador, Mrs. Ndiyoi Muliwana Mutiti who has called on more Japanese firms to go and invest in the country’s energy sector, which has vast space especially for solar energy.
Ambassador Mutiti said the Mission is excited that so far at least four Japanese companies are set to invest over 300 megawatts of solar generated power in Zambia.
“Zambia plans to increase electricity generation.
Therefore, renewable energy such as solar, which is faster to develop, will help Zambia deliver clean energy, technology, skills and create thousands of jobs for Zambians,” said Ambassador Mutiti.
Ambassador Mutiti said the mission in Tokyo will continue luring more Japanese investment in all sectors with an emphasis on transfer of skills, technology, and creation of job opportunities in order to accelerate socio-economic development.
In August, 2019, Zambia signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Toyota Tsusho Corporation for the development and implementation of a 100 megawatts solar power project. Toyota Tsusho Corporation through their implementation agency, El Sewedy Electric Company will establish two separate 50 megawatt power plants in Sesheke and Mongu respectively.
This is according to a press statement issued by Yotamu Mugara, First Secretary- Press at the Embassy of the Republic of Zambia in Tokyo, Japan.

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News Source: Mwebantu