LUSAKA, ZAMBIA – The U.S. Trade and Development Agency today awarded a grant to Upepo Energy Zambia Limited, a Zambian energy solutions company, to fund a feasibility study for a 150 MW wind, solar and energy storage hybrid power plant project in northern Zambia. The study will evaluate the optimal mix of on-site wind, solar and battery storage technologies to provide energy generation and services to the Zambian grid.

Upepo selected New York-based WSP USA, Inc. to conduct the technical and financial analysis needed to develop the large-scale hybrid project and determine its commercial viability. It is expected to be one of the first hybrid renewable energy projects in the country and will provide much needed generation and grid support to in northern Zambia.

“USTDA believes this feasibility study will address critical energy generation and battery storage needs in Zambia, while providing  enhanced access to affordable and reliable electricity,” said Todd Abrajano, USTDA’s Acting Deputy Director, who signed the grant in Lusaka. “This project will also serve as a gateway for U.S. technologies to serve an important sector in Zambia.”

Upepo Energy’s  Chief Development Officer Dean Baumgardner said, “We need to thank USTDA for its vision and commitment, and local partners in northern Zambia for their strong support for this project.  Upepo Energy is committed to working closely with all of these key stakeholders to bring this state-of-the-art clean multi-technology renewable energy project to Zambia.”

U.S. Ambassador to Zambia, Daniel L. Foote added, “This partnership with Upepo Energy is also a good example of the value brought by commercial cooperation between the United States and Zambia.”.”