Public hearing set for 500 megawatt floating solar plant at Kariba

SIAVONGA. The Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) has announced a public hearing on a proposed 500 megawatt floating solar power plant at Kariba North. The developer is LTI Reenergy Cleantech Project Development and Investments Zambia Limited. The hearing is part of the environmental review process, where residents and others can raise concerns. **Not to be confused with.** This is not the Zimbabwe floating solar project of 500 to 600 megawatts. It is also not the Zambezi River Authority and African Development Bank feasibility study, worth about US$1 million. **Why it matters.** Government has set a target of 10,000 megawatts. Zambia has about 3,871 megawatts today. Floating solar on Kariba could add generation without taking farmland, and it could reduce evaporation. It also sits on a lake that supports fishing and tourism communities. **What residents may want to ask.** How much of the lake surface will be used? What happens to fishing areas? How many local jobs? Who buys the power and at what price? **Verification notes.** ZEMA's environmental impact statements page lists a project titled "ESIS for a 500 MW floating PV solar plant on Kariba North, Siavonga District" by LTI Reenergy Cleantech Project Development & Investments Zambia Limited. So the filing is real. The page gives no hearing date and no document detail. We have not seen the environmental impact statement or a statement from the developer. For contrast, the Zimbabwe side is a separate project. Green Hybrid Power, set up by Zimbabwe's Intensive Energy Users Group, is developing about 600MW in phases with a package of around US$400 million. Energy News Network (17 August) says Zimbabwe's energy minister hopes for financial close in October 2026. **Open questions.** The hearing date and venue should be confirmed from the notice. Is the project connected to the national grid, and who finances it? **Sources:** ZEMA public notice; ZEMA environmental impact statements listing.