Zambia launches 12MW solar mining project

Key Figures & Findings: LONGi has delivered its high-efficiency Hi-MO 9 modules to the 12MW Fitula solar PV plant in Chingola, Copperbelt Province, powering a major Chinese copper mining operation. The project will support Zambia’s push for sustainable mining by reducing costs and emissions. The plant is designed with an AC capacity of 10MWp and a DC capacity of 12MWp, covering 12.41 hectares, with operations expected to begin later this year.

Statistics & Insights: The Fitula solar plant is expected to generate 22,836MWh of green electricity annually, cutting fuel use and grid dependence for one of Zambia’s largest mining sites. The project uses 640Wp half-cut bifacial monocrystalline modules with 23.7% conversion efficiency, optimized for Zambia’s high-irradiation conditions.

Future Implications: If successfully scaled, the Fitula model could accelerate Zambia’s green industrial transformation by 2030, positioning solar as the preferred energy solution for mining operations. Its Build-Operate-Transfer approach may also provide a replicable pathway for other African mining hubs facing rising energy costs and sustainability pressures.

Source: ESI Africa

Quick Take: Zambia’s 12MW Fitula solar plant highlights mining’s shift to clean power, a model that could anchor sustainable industrial growth across Africa.