In a landmark move toward sustainable energy development, Turkish energy technology firm YEO Technology Energy and Industry Inc. and Zambia’s GEI Power Limited have officially launched the country’s first solar power project integrated with a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS).
The Cooma Solar Project, located in Choma, Southern Province, was inaugurated during a high-level groundbreaking ceremony attended by senior Zambian government officials, traditional leaders, and international stakeholders.
Set to generate 60 MWp of solar power and store 20 MWh of energy, the facility aims to provide clean electricity to over 65,000 households and create 150 local jobs during construction. The project is scheduled to be operational by December 2025.
Zambia, heavily reliant on hydropower, is currently grappling with a deepening energy crisis driven by prolonged droughts. Officials underscored that renewable diversification is not only strategic but essential for national energy security.
Speaking at the event, Turkish Ambassador to Zambia Hüseyin Barbaros Dicle highlighted the importance of the project as a symbol of innovation and deepening bilateral ties.
“This initiative not only demonstrates Türkiye’s commitment to sustainable development but also strengthens our growing partnership with Zambia,” said Ambassador Dicle. “It represents economic transformation, environmental stewardship, and a vision for long-term cooperation.”
The project also aligns with Zambia’s renewable energy policy and reflects Türkiye’s growing role in Africa’s green energy transition. Turkish companies, including YEO Technology, have become increasingly active across the continent in delivering clean energy solutions, infrastructure projects, and technical capacity-building.
Zambian officials at the event included Hon. Nelly Mutti, Speaker of the National Assembly and Board Chairperson of GEI Power; Hon. Makozo Chikote, Minister of Energy; and Hon. Cornelius Mweetwa, Minister of Information and Communication, and Member of Parliament for Choma.
Environmental impact assessments and feasibility studies are already underway, paving the way for what is expected to be a flagship renewable energy project in the region.
As Zambia intensifies efforts to diversify its energy sources and adapt to climate change, the Cooma Solar Project stands as a timely and transformative investment, and a model for future public-private energy partnerships across Africa.