Powering more than just electricity

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The Ilute Solar Project, a 32 MWp independent solar power plant, has officially secured financing and is now moving into construction. 

The project is being developed in Sesheke, Western Zambia, and this is a big moment for the country’s renewable energy journey.

Ilute is about meeting Zambia’s growing electricity demand with clean, reliable power. 

It moves away from the traditional utility-backed approach and instead strengthens grid resilience, supports infrastructure upgrades, and enables regional electricity trade across the SADC power market, all without adding pressure to government finances.

Serengeti Energy is leading on development, working alongside Kwama Energy as co-developer. 

The Government of Zambia is providing regulatory certainty, ZESCO is ensuring grid access, local communities are contributing land and oversight, lenders are taking on electricity price risk, and GreenCo is enabling cross-border trade and market liquidity. 

So why does this matter?

Construction, which is expected to begin this year, will run for approximately 12 months. 

As an infrastructure project, the Ilute Solar Project will generate its largest employment impact during this phase, with over 150 jobs expected to be created for local residents. 

The total value of these construction-phase jobs is estimated at 8–9 million ZMW ($405,000–456,000).

Local workers, both skilled and unskilled, will be hired for a wide range of on-site activities, including land clearing, construction of mounting structures for solar panels, installation of electrical systems, and cable laying. 

These roles span multiple skill levels, from labourers and technicians to machine operators and supervisors, making the project accessible to people from diverse backgrounds.

Beyond construction, the Ilute Solar Project will continue to create employment throughout the 25-year lifespan of the plant. 

While operations and maintenance roles are fewer in number compared to construction jobs, they are stable, long-term positions that support continuous plant operation. 

These include solar technicians, electrical engineers, maintenance staff, security personnel, and operations support.

It is estimated that 0.5 to 1 million ZMW ($25,000–51,000) in annual salaries will be spent on local employment during the operations phase, alongside ongoing skills development opportunities for the community.

The construction and development of the project will include training. 

Through hands-on involvement, local workers will gain practical experience and technical skills that support the growth of Zambia’s renewable energy sector and contribute to building long-term technical capacity and human capital.

Solar projects offer multiple roles. Watch the video below and learn more.