Under the blazing Copperbelt sun, Zambia is turning its energy challenges into bright opportunities. The Garneton North Solar Project, a 20-megawatt (MW) power plant, marks a defining moment in the country’s journey toward a cleaner, smarter, and more inclusive energy future.
Valued at $24.5 million, the project will provide reliable electricity to more than 82,000 people while preventing the release of nearly 59,000 tons of carbon dioxide each year. In a nation long reliant on hydropower—often strained by recurring droughts—Garneton North symbolizes a strategic pivot toward energy diversification and climate resilience.
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The solar plant will be connected to the national grid through a 10-kilometer transmission line, with the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) purchasing all the generated power under a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA) that ensures stability and supply reliability. But the impact of Garneton North goes beyond megawatts and carbon metrics. It is a human-centered project: during construction, it will create 90 jobs, more than half for young workers and five for women, while 10 permanent positions will be sustained during operations.
The project is part of Zambia’s GETFiT program, a national initiative designed to add 120 MW of new renewable capacity through private sector investment. Beyond improving energy security, it also restores investor confidence in Zambia’s power sector and sets the stage for a new era of public-private collaboration in clean energy.“Zambia is redefining its energy model. Projects like Garneton North don’t just light up homes — they energize a greener, younger, and more competitive economy,” said Jing Li, Manager of Energy Financial Solutions.
The Garneton North project aligns with the Mission 300 initiative — Africa’s bold goal to provide electricity access to 300 million people by 2030. By expanding its renewable capacity, Zambia is helping to drive the continent’s most ambitious clean energy transformation. From the heart of Southern Africa, Zambia is proving that the future of energy is not a matter of chance — but of choice. By turning sunlight into progress, the nation is illuminating a new path toward sustainable development and energy equity.
