Kazungula thermal power station
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Kazungula thermal power station is a power station in Sichiyasa, Kazungula, Southern, Zambia with multiple units of varying statuses, none of which are currently operating. It is also known as Mukuni Thermal Plant.
Location
Table 1: Project-level location details
| Plant name | Location | Coordinates (WGS 84) |
|---|---|---|
| Kazungula thermal power station | Sichiyasa, Kazungula, Southern, Zambia | -17.889746, 25.929457 (approximate)[1] |
Project Details
Table 2: Unit-level details
| Unit name | Status | Fuel(s) | Capacity (MW) | Technology | Start year | Emergency/Backup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phase I, Unit 1 | Construction[2] | coal: unknown[1] | 67.5[1] | unknown | 2026 (planned)[3] | False |
| Phase I, Unit 2 | Construction[2] | coal: unknown[1] | 67.5[1] | unknown | 2026 (planned)[3] | False |
| Phase II | Announced[2] | coal: unknown | 135[2] | unknown | 2027 (planned)[4] | False |
Table 3: Unit-level ownership and operator details
| Unit name | Owner | Parent |
|---|---|---|
| Phase I, Unit 1 | Guoli Energy Zambia Ltd [100%][1] | Guoli Energy Zambia Ltd [100.0%] |
| Phase I, Unit 2 | Guoli Energy Zambia Ltd [100%][1] | Guoli Energy Zambia Ltd [100.0%] |
| Phase II | Guoli Energy Zambia Ltd [100%][1] | Guoli Energy Zambia Ltd [100.0%] |
Ownership Tree
This ownership tree is part of the Global Energy Ownership Tracker, a project of Global Energy Monitor.
Background
As of May 2025, Guoli Energy Zambia Ltd. was planning to build a 2 x 67.5 MW coal-fired power station in the Sichiyasa Village of the Kazungula District, in the Southern Province. The power station’s Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) stated that Guoli Energy would invest US$150 million in the project and expected to operate the coal plant for 30 years.[5]
In November 2025, the Zambian Ministry of Energy published a list of projects indicating that the 135 MW “Guoli” thermal power plant was expected to be completed in December 2026.[6]
In January 2026, photos from a social media post by the Zambian power utility ZESCO indicated that construction on the power plant was underway. According to a ZESCO official, the power station would have a total capacity of 270 MW, with a 135 MW Phase I to be completed in 2026 and a 135 MW Phase II to be completed in 2027. Reporting from February 2026 also stated that construction on the 270 MW power plant had begun,[7] and Planet satellite imagery from May 2026 appeared to show construction progress.
Financing
The May 2025 ESIA stated that Guoli Energy Zambia Ltd. would invest US$150 million in the initial 135 MW project (Phase I).[5] In January 2026, reporting on a ZESCO site visit stated that ZESCO had signed a 25-year power purchase agreement with Guoli Zambia Energy Limited in 2025 and would be the sole off-taker from the project.[8]
A February 2026 report stated that the broader 270 MW project would be developed in two 135 MW phases and that each phase would cost US$100 million.[7]
As of June 2026, no named lender group, debt/equity split, third-party financing institution, insurance arrangement, or signed EPC financing arrangement had been identified.
Articles and Resources
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 "Environmental & Social Impact Assessment - The Proposed Construction and Operation of A 135MW Thermal Power Plant on Plot No. F/Kazun/Zln-5011/1 in Sichiyasa Village of Kazungula District" (PDF). Guoli Energy Zambia Ltd. 2025-05. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2025-10-28. Retrieved 2026-01-23.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 https://www.lusakatimes.com/2026/02/07/mukuni-thermal-plant-construction-takes-shape/.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ 3.0 3.1 (PDF) https://www.moe.gov.zm/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/PROJECTS-AS-AT-28-NOVEMBER-2025.pdf.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ https://www.facebook.com/ZESCOCORP/posts/270mw-thermal-plant-to-accelerate-zambias-energy-sufficiency-as-ncube-urges-priv/1387617686492724/.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ 5.0 5.1 “Environmental & Social Impact Assessment - The Proposed Construction and Operation of A 135MW Thermal Power Plant on Plot No. F/Kazun/Zln-5011/1 in Sichiyasa Village of Kazungula District,” Guoli Energy Zambia Limited, May 2025
- ↑ “Pipeline and Complete Projects,” Ministry of Energy, Republic of Zambia, November 28, 2025
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 “Mukuni Thermal Plant construction takes shape,” Lusaka Times, February 7, 2026
- ↑ “270MW Thermal Plant to Accelerate Zambia’s Energy Sufficiency,” Efficacy News, January 11, 2026
Additional data
To access additional data, including an interactive map of coal-fired power stations, a downloadable dataset, and summary data, please visit the Global Coal Plant Tracker on the Global Energy Monitor website.
