Lualaba Solar Company Selected to Develop 220 MWp Solar Power Plant with Battery Storage for Kamoa-Kakula

Lualaba Solar Company SAS (LSC), a Congolese company specialising in the development, financing, construction and operation of solar power infrastructure, has announced plans to develop a 220 MWp solar photovoltaic power plant supported by a 540 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS).

The facility will supply electricity to Kamoa Copper SA, operator of the Kamoa-Kakula copper complex, one of the largest in the world, under a 15-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).

The signing of the agreement follows several months of project development and represents a significant milestone. Forming part of Phase 2 of Kamoa-Kakula’s solar power program, the project is set to become one of the largest privately developed solar and battery storage projects led by Congolese companies in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

A Congolese Partnership Bringing Together Complementary Expertise

Lualaba Solar Company SAS was established through a partnership between Congo Energy, Great Lake Energy (GLE) and Vizir. Together, the three partners bring complementary expertise in energy project development, engineering, power infrastructure operations and financial structuring.

Congo Energy and Great Lake Energy are playing leading roles in the development, construction and future operation of the facility, while Vizir is primarily responsible for structuring and securing the necessary financing.

By combining their technical, industrial and financial capabilities within a single company, the partners aim to deliver a major energy infrastructure project that meets the requirements of large-scale industrial power generation.

A Reliable Energy Solution Tailored to Kamoa-Kakula’s Needs

The project is designed to help meet Kamoa Copper SA’s growing electricity requirements by providing a sustainable and efficient power generation solution suited to the demands of its industrial operations.

The planned facility will combine 220 MWp of installed solar photovoltaic capacity with a 540 MWh battery energy storage system.

Integrating solar generation with battery storage will help manage fluctuations in solar power output and provide greater flexibility in meeting the electricity needs of a major industrial consumer.

The 15-year Power Purchase Agreement establishes a long-term framework for cooperation between Lualaba Solar Company and Kamoa Copper SA. It marks a key step towards bringing the project to fruition and expanding electricity generation capacity in the DRC.

Demonstrating the Capabilities of the Congolese Private Sector

Beyond its technical and industrial significance, the project highlights the growing ability of Congolese companies to take a leading role in developing major energy infrastructure.

By bringing together established industrial and financial partners, Lualaba Solar Company demonstrates how complex energy projects can be initiated, structured and developed locally while meeting international standards.

“This project demonstrates that Congolese companies now have the expertise and capabilities to initiate, structure and lead major energy developments, while bringing together the technical expertise and international partners needed to deliver them,” said Spyros Giourgas, CEO of Congo Energy, a shareholder in Lualaba Solar Company SAS.

Supporting Energy Development and Industrial Growth in the DRC

The Democratic Republic of the Congo has vast energy resources, yet electricity demand from its industrial sector continues to rise.

Meeting this growing demand requires substantial investment in new generation capacity, appropriate technologies and the mobilisation of both technical and financial expertise.

Through the development of this solar power and battery storage facility, Lualaba Solar Company aims to contribute to the country’s energy development by delivering sustainable infrastructure capable of supporting its client’s industrial operations.

The project also underscores the increasingly important role that Congolese private companies can play in financing and developing the country’s energy infrastructure, helping to support long-term economic and industrial growth.