On May 20, Zambia's 100MW emergency solar project in Kebwe was officially connected to the grid. As the largest single photovoltaic project in Zambia, its commissioning will provide stable clean electricity for the central region. The annual power generation is expected to reach 180 million kWh, which can meet the annual electricity demand of 150,000 households, directly alleviate the 30% power gap in the region, and provide core power support for local mining upgrades and agricultural modernization.
During the construction process, Chinese and foreign employees of the project worked together in unity, adopted assembly line operation and cross-departmental collaboration mode, and achieved seamless connection between design, construction, commissioning and other links. The construction of 66,000 spiral piles was completed in 52 days, with an average daily pile driving volume of 1,200 piles; dozens of tests such as 2 main transformers and 20 box-type transformers were completed in 30 days, achieving the management goal of zero error and zero accident; at the same time, relying on the rich construction experience and professional performance capabilities in the early stage, the project innovatively applied a number of patented methods such as spiral pile processing improvement technology and conductor protection and deployment devices, breaking through technical challenges such as pile foundation positioning accuracy control and high-voltage cable explosion-proof treatment, and completing the entire process from design to commissioning in only 10 months, which is more than 40% shorter than the cycle of similar projects, demonstrating China Power Construction's strength in high-quality performance and winning wide praise from owners and local governments.
During the contract performance process, the project further deepened the practice of localized employment, provided more than 1,350 jobs for the surrounding areas, and the localized employment rate reached 96%. Through technical training, 320 high-quality technical talents such as electricians, carpenters, welders, and steel workers were trained to achieve the sustainable development concept of "teaching people to fish". While facilitating the construction of the project, the project also dug several wells for the surrounding villagers and received letters of praise; by building water storage dams, it helped the surrounding villagers reuse rainwater for crop irrigation. In addition, the project's construction camp will be handed over to the Zambian government after the completion of the project to be converted into schools and clinics, contributing to the improvement of the local education and medical systems.
The Zambia Kebwe 100MW Emergency Solar Project is located in Chisamba District, Kabwe Central Province. It is the first project of the Zambian National Electricity Corporation in the field of solar energy. It covers an area of 106 hectares. The main construction content includes the construction of a 100MW solar photovoltaic power station, a 33/132 kV booster station, a double-circuit 2.7 km 132 kV transmission line and the expansion of the existing substation. The successful grid-connected power generation of the project will drive the construction and improvement of related basic service facilities near the project, further provide strong power support for the development of industry, agriculture and mining in central Zambia, and also have great significance for the country to achieve energy supply diversification and improve national power security.