ZCCM-IH and Wonderful Group Partner to Build 600MW Power Plant in Sinazongwe
In a statement released on the 1st of June 2026, the Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines Investments Holdings (ZCCM-IH) announced that it is partnering with China-affiliated Wonderful Group to develop a 600-MW coal-fired thermal power plant in Zambia. The two companies will create a joint venture called Ever Great Energy, where ZCCM-IH will invest USD 54.2 million in return for a 30% stake. The total cost of the project is estimated at USD 451.7 million.
This announcement comes right after ZCCM-IH and Wonderful Group announced on the 27th of May 2026 that they would also partner to rehabilitate the limestone and cement plant in Ndola. Wonderful Group is financing the project via a blend of debt and equity financing from both the public and private sectors.
The first phase will see a 300-MW capacity made up of two 150-MW turbines. Then, the capacity is expected to double to 600 MW within the next five years, and the plant can reach up to 900 MW if and when needed. Currently, Zambia has a baseload deficit of about 1,400 MW. More energy is also required to support the processing of minerals as Zambia ramps up production.
Ziquan Group, which has experience in large thermal power plants, will act as the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (#EPC) contractor. The power station is located in Snazongwe District in the Southern Province of Zambia, which is rich in coal, amethyst, and even #CriticalMinerals such as tin, tantalum, and tungsten. Since the copper mines are mostly located in the Copperbelt Province in the north, the power will have to be transmitted to the smelters up north. The project will thus include a transmission line to the Muzuma Substation in Choma District.
The Government of Zambia plans to ramp up copper production to 3 million tonnes per annum by 2031. Previously, Zambia relied most on the hydroelectricity produced from the Kariba dam for its residential and industrial use. However, coal-fired power stations have the advantage of not being subject to climatic shifts and seasonal changes.