By Cecilia Chiluba 
ZESCO Limited has disclosed that about 500-800 Megawatts of solar electricity is expected to be added to the national grid by the end of 2025, in an effort to build a climate-resilient energy system.
ZESCO’s Director – Power Generation, Eng. Ernest Banda, said the projection is motivated by a multi-layer of government and private sector-driven solar projects being undertaken across the country.
Eng. Banda stated that this is in response to President Hakainde Hichilema’s led national energy mix diversification agenda.
“Probably by the close of 2025, we are looking at close to 500-800MW in the solar space.”
“This will help us supply you with more hours of electricity than the 7 hours we are currently struggling to give you,” Eng. Banda said.
He told Journalists during the recent tour of the 120MW Ithezi-Tezhi power station, that President Hichilema is in a few weeks expected to officially commission the 100MW Chisamba solar project, marking the first injection of the country’s biggest solar energy into the national grid.
“This addition will be the first step towards reaching the projected 1,000MW of solar energy targeted to improve the national electricity supply.”
“With an additional 800MW, we will be able to send a strong signal to cure load shedding. So, what we are saying is that there is room this year for improvements as long as we can bring in key projects that will help with the mix that we have,” he added.
News Desk 
Joseph Tembo