Zambia tenders 300 MW of solar

The first bid window of Zambia's new Carbon Feed In Premium Program plans to develop 300 MW of solar across projects that are connected to on-site battery energy storage systems. The deadline to submit expressions of interest is May 31.

6 April 2026 at 08:44 pm

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Zambia has announced its first bid window for the Carbon Feed In Premium (CFIP) Program, a new financing mechanism aimed at accelerating the development of large-scale, grid-connected solar installations. The program, managed by Zambia's Ministry of Green Economy and Environment and Ministry of Energy, seeks to develop 300 MW of solar power across projects that will be connected to on-site battery energy storage systems. The deadline for interested parties to submit their expressions of interest is May 31.

The CFIP program is open to both national and international independent power producers, as well as Zambia's national power utility, ZESCO, and its subsidiaries. The call for proposals specifies that the first CFIP window will focus on procuring 300 MW of new solar projects. To be eligible, projects must have planned installed capacities between 30 MW and 100 MW and must include a battery energy storage system with a capacity of at least half an hour. All projects supported by the program must be connected to the national grid, with ZESCO acting as the primary off-taker through a power purchase agreement.

To provide further clarity and support for potential applicants, an online information event will be held on April 14. This event will precede the submission deadline of May 31 for expressions of interest. Funding for the CFIP has been secured through a bilateral agreement between Zambia and Norway, with Norway committed to paying for the verified emissions reductions generated by the projects delivered under the program.

Zambia's renewable energy landscape is already showing significant growth, with the Africa Solar Industry Association (AFSIA) reporting 912.4 MW of operational solar across 142 projects in the country. Last May, ZESCO completed the 100 MW Chisamba solar farm in southern Zambia, marking the country's largest operational solar project to date. ZESCO has also expressed plans to add a second 100 MW phase at the Chisamba site. Additionally, work is underway on a separate 100 MW solar project located to the east of the country.

The introduction of the CFIP program highlights Zambia's commitment to expanding its renewable energy capacity and integrating advanced energy storage solutions to enhance grid stability and reliability. By leveraging international partnerships and offering a results-based financing mechanism, Zambia aims to attract both domestic and foreign investors to its thriving solar sector. The successful implementation of the CFIP program could further solidify Zambia's position as a leader in renewable energy in Africa, while contributing to global efforts to combat climate change and reduce carbon emissions.

Source: pv magazine International

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