Engie Energy Access, the Africa-focused subsidiary of French energy giant Engie SA, has announced the commencement of construction on 15 solar mini-grids in Zambia's Eastern Province.
Under the oversight of its unit MySol Grid Zambia, Engie Energy Access will handle the construction, ownership, operation, and maintenance of these off-grid installations, aimed at delivering reliable electricity to underserved households and small businesses. The projects are scheduled to be operational by the end of this year.
“These solar mini-grids mark a significant step towards our commitment to expanding access to electricity across Zambia,” said a spokesperson for Engie Energy Access.
The initiative forms part of the Increase Access to Electricity and Renewable Energy Production (IAEREP) programme, supported by the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) and the European Union (EU), according to a press release.
Engie Energy Access plans to deploy a total of 60 solar mini-grids across five provinces in Zambia by 2025 under the IAEREP programme. Funding for these projects, totaling USD 7.5 million (EUR 7.00 million), was secured through a debt facility arranged by MySol Grid Zambia in 2023 with the Facility for Energy Inclusion (FEI), managed by Cygnum Capital.
