Kiyona Energy and ZESCO Power Zambia’s Renewable Future

By Daily News Reporter

On the grounds of the Natural Resources Development College (NRDC), rows of solar panels are beginning to take shape—symbols of Zambia’s determination to rewrite its energy story. The launch of the 20MW Solar PV project, spearheaded by Kiyona Energy Limited, a ZESCO subsidiary, marks more than just an infrastructure milestone. It is a statement of resilience, innovation, and hope after the crippling 2024 drought exposed the vulnerabilities of Zambia’s hydropower-dependent grid.

For decades, Zambia’s electricity supply has leaned heavily on hydropower. But when drought struck in 2024, reservoirs shrank, turbines slowed, and households and industries faced blackouts. The NRDC solar project is part of a deliberate pivot—an effort to diversify the energy mix and build climate resilience.

“Renewable energy diversification is no longer optional; it’s essential,” declared ZESCO Managing Director Eng. Justin Loongo at the groundbreaking ceremony.

 His words captured the urgency of a nation determined to secure reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity.

What makes the NRDC project unique is its dual purpose. Beyond feeding electrons into the national grid, it will directly power the college, with 2MW dedicated to NRDC itself. This ensures uninterrupted electricity for classrooms, labs, and dormitories, while creating a living laboratory for students.

“Hosting a grid-connected solar power plant within NRDC creates a unique ecosystem, where energy infrastructure supports education and education produces skills for the energy sector,” Loongo explained.

And speaking at the same ceremony Kiyona Energy CEO Eng. Clement Siame echoed this vision, noting that the project will generate jobs, transfer skills, and serve as a training ground for the next generation of energy professionals.

The project has also been hailed as a model of governance and collaboration. Attorney General Mulilo Kabesha SC praised the agreements underpinning the initiative as “legally robust, development-driven, and future-focused.”

Meanwhile, Zambia Taiho Service Limited Chairman Mr. Zhou Bing assured stakeholders that construction, which began in November 2025, is on track for completion by March 2026. “This timely progress demonstrates a shared commitment to efficiency, accountability, and results,” he said.

For the government, the NRDC solar project is part of a broader energy diversification strategy. 

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