Grid Africa and TCL Solar have announced a strategic partnership to deploy distributed energy solutions in Zimbabwe and Zambia.
The initiative leverages solar and battery storage technologies to address the region’s ongoing energy shortfalls and drive economic development.
Sub-Saharan Africa faces a significant power deficit, with demand for reliable electricity outpacing supply. Norman Moyo, CEO of Grid Africa, said: “There is a solution to the crisis if we embrace new emerging technologies that are immediately available and quick to deploy.
“We have a unique opportunity to reverse engineer our over-reliance on utilities by deploying distributed solutions that leverage existing transmission and distribution infrastructure.
“Just as we successfully revolutionised telecommunications with GSM technology, we can apply the same mindset to solve our energy security challenges.”
Grid Africa specialises in distributed energy systems for data centres, telecoms, and industrial users across Africa. The partnership will benefit from Zimbabwe and Zambia’s existing transmission infrastructure and recent regulatory reforms that have eased grid access.
TCL Solar, known for its high-efficiency photovoltaic modules, will contribute technology and logistical support. “In partnering with Grid Africa, we are excited to contribute to a sustainable energy future for the region,” said Tian, GM, MEA of TCL Solar.
“Targeting the high temperature and high irradiation environment of Zimbabwe and Zambia, TCL Solar optimised the existing module design by following the advanced TOPCon passivation structural technology patents of SunPower, improved the thermal resistance and power generation capacity of the modules.”
TCL Solar has committed to supporting the rollout of 100 MW of distributed energy capacity in both countries.
The partners aim to capitalise on the momentum in regional energy trading and the growth of the Southern Africa Power Pool to deliver long-term, resilient energy solutions.
