The US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) has approved a US$1.05 million grant that will be used towards a feasibility study for Zambia’s very first independent wind-power plant, according to an Engineering News report.

At present, the country relies primarily on hydropower as an energy source, accounting for 96% of the country’s electricity production. However, the US$275 million wind farm is expected to generate around 500 GWh of clean electricity – making it one of the largest renewable energy projects in sub-Saharan Africa.

Funding has been awarded to renewable energy project developer Access Power and its strategic partner EREN Renewable Energy.

‘By bringing this pioneering project to fruition with the support of the USTDA, we aim to diversify Zambia’s energy mix and tap into its vast clean energy power generation potential in order to help fuel its economy development and satisfy the urgent need for electrification,’ says Vahid Fotuhi, MD of Access Power.

29 August 2017
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