400 MWac solar pipeline cements Petrodex's rising footprint

In its May/June 2025 cover story, Zambian Mining Magazine profiled Petrodex's expansion in Zambia at a time of major change in the country's power sector.

Zambia relied on hydropower for around 87% of its electricity generation. The previous year, an El Niño-induced drought curbed hydropower generation by over 70% of the country's 3.7 gigawatts installed capacity, leading to rolling blackouts and threatening economic goals, including copper production targets. In response, the country was opening the sector to private power producers and power traders, moving away from ZESCO's single-buyer model towards full implementation of the open market access regime.

Petrodex, which entered the Zambian market in 2024, was by then trading over 200 megawatts daily on the Southern African Power Pool, supplying mining and other industries in Zambia and the DRC from its Lusaka-based office. Its first renewable project, a planned 100 megawatts peak solar plant over two phases in Serenje, Central Province, now the Mailo Solar plant, was undergoing pre-commissioning tests with development partner Solarcentury Africa. It formed part of a broader initiative to develop a pipeline of 400 MWac of solar PV capacity across Zambia.

"We are committed to addressing the region's electricity shortfall by actively aggregating and blending power from a diverse array of sources, and then delivering a reliable, optimized energy supply to mining companies and other critical industrial sectors throughout the region," said Monie Captan, Deputy CEO, West Africa.

"We believe that Zambia is implementing bold and progressive reforms, and we are committed to forging long-term relationships with the country and its key industries, including mining," said Aurelien Thomas, Regional Commercial Manager.

Adapted from an article first published as the cover story of Zambian Mining Magazine, May/June 2025 (Vol. 22, Issue 3), pages 6–7, written by Chiwoyu Sinyangwe. Original article: https://www.miningnewszambia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Zambian-Mining-Magazine-May-June-2025-Issue.pdf