U.S. Trade and Development Agency announced funding for a feasibility study grant to REV-UP Solar Ventures Zambia (REV-UP) to support the development of a large-scale solar power project in Zambia’s North-Western Province. The project will supply clean, stable electricity to Zambian industry and households and has the potential to provide power for two critical mineral mines in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
“This partnership with REV-UP Solar Ventures aims to generate clean, renewable power that will support the Zambian government’s goal for universal electricity access by 2030,” said Enoh T. Ebong, USTDA’s Director. “U.S. companies are well–positioned to provide technologies and other solutions for this project, which will enhance economic growth and improved quality of life for Zambians, while offering the potential to strengthen battery supply chains.”
The study will develop technical and financial recommendations to implement the power project, which will combine 200 megawatts of solar energy generation capacity with battery energy storage. Zambia currently faces a shortage of reliable electricity, due both to increasing demand and reduced hydropower generation caused by declines in precipitation linked to climate change. This is USTDA’s second battery energy storage project in Zambia, following a feasibility study and pilot project in Zambia’s Sesheke District signed earlier this year.
“REV-UP is thrilled and honored to have received the U.S. Trade and Development Agency’s generous support toward our development of the Mulonga Project in Solwezi Zambia,” said REV-UP’s Co-Managing Directors Brett Shere and Lubilo Mate. “This innovative project will provide reliable green energy to responsible Zambian and DRC copper and cobalt mines, helping to ensure that these minerals – which are so critical to the global clean energy transition – are produced via an energy mix and an ethos that is aligned with the renewable energy movement’s highest principles. We also seek to contribute to Zambia’s emergence as a hub for regional electricity export and as a leader in all of sub-Saharan Africa with regard to electricity sector creativity and innovation. We are honored to be cooperating with the Government of the Republic of Zambia and with USTDA on this project.”
USTDA’s feasibility study advances Power Africa, a U.S government-led initiative to increase energy access and end energy poverty in sub-Saharan Africa, the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGI)’s Lobito Corridor, and the U.S.-Zambia-DRC Tri-partite MOU to strengthen electric vehicle battery value chains in the region.