ZEMA approves 350MW wind  energy facility in Katete district

The Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) has officially granted environmental approval for the multi-million dollar Unika I and II Wind Energy Facility, proposed by Mphepo Power Limited in Chief M’bangombe’s Chiefdom within Katete District, Eastern Province. The project, which spans a combined capacity of 350 megawatts, marks a critical leap forward in Zambia’s ongoing efforts to diversify its national energy matrix and mitigate the vulnerabilities exposed by recurring climate-induced droughts affecting traditional hydroelectric generation. Set across two distinct phases—Unika I and Unika II—the facility represents one of the most substantial private-sector renewable energy investments in Eastern Province. The initiative is structured as a unique public-private and community collaboration, featuring equity participation from the Chewa Development Trust on behalf of His Majesty Kalonga Gawa Undi. This model ensures that traditional leadership and local communities are not merely passive landowners, but active stakeholders who will share in the long-term socioeconomic benefits generated by the project. Energy sector analysts have repeatedly emphasized the strategic importance of incorporating wind power into the national grid, particularly because wind patterns in regions like Katete tend to peak during the dry winter months when hydroelectric dam water levels are typically low. By feeding clean, reliable power directly into the Zesco national grid, the facility is expected to significantly ease peak-hour deficits and reinforce power security for households and commercial enterprises alike. Beyond its contribution to grid stability, the project is anticipated to act as a major economic catalyst for Katete District and the broader Eastern Province. Construction and subsequent operational phases are projected to generate hundreds of direct and indirect employment opportunities, prioritizing local workforce participation and skills transfer. Furthermore, fina