Daybreak
The first light on the Chiyaba site, and the first plant to energise.
The first phase of the Chiyaba site: 44 MWac of single-axis-tracked PV with a co-located 10 MW / 20 MWh battery, connecting to the ZESCO 88 kV network at Gota Gota substation through dedicated evacuation infrastructure.
How Chiyaba connects.
Chiyaba will connect to the ZESCO 88 kV network at Gota Gota substation through dedicated evacuation infrastructure funded by Mpishi Energy under the Implementation Agreement, replacing the originally planned connection at 11 kV with a step-up to 88 kV. One fewer transformation stage, a direct route onto the transmission network, and a single connection point shared by Daybreak and Zenith.
- Solar + storage
- 11 kV connection
- Step-up to 88 kV
- Grid
- Solar + storage
- Plant substation
- Direct 88 kV line
- Gota Gota
- Connection voltage
- 88 kV
- Grid substation
- Gota Gota (ZESCO)
- Phase 1 export
- 44 MWac
- Full site
- 100 MWac after upgrade
Schematic, not to scale. Connection terms per the ZESCO Grid Connection Agreement and grid studies in the data room.
The project
Daybreak is the anchor asset of the Mpishi platform and the most advanced solar-plus-storage project in the portfolio. Land is held on registered freehold title. The Implementation Agreement with the Government of the Republic of Zambia was executed in December 2025, and the project holds its environmental authorisation, grid connection agreement and construction permit. The plant will connect to the ZESCO 88 kV network at Gota Gota substation through dedicated evacuation infrastructure, rather than the originally planned connection at 11 kV with a step-up to 88 kV. This removes a transformation stage and gives a direct route to the transmission network. Its export level is matched to the substation's current capacity; Mpishi is contractually obliged to fund the dedicated evacuation upgrade, the same infrastructure that unlocks Phase 2. Offtake is based on heads of terms agreed for a 25-year USD-indexed PPA with a premium offtaker.
Status and approvals
- Implementation Agreement (GRZ)Signed · December 2025
- Environmental authorisation (ZEMA)Granted
- Grid Connection Agreement (ZESCO)Executed
- Grid connection88 kV · Gota Gota substation via dedicated evacuation infrastructure (replaces planned 11 kV connection with step-up)
- Generation licence & construction permit (ERB)Issued · 44 MWac export
- Land tenureFreehold title · registered
- Offtake25-year USD-indexed PPA · heads of terms agreed · premium offtaker
- Carbon & impactPartnership Agreement with a Nordic climate-finance partner
Key figures
- Grid voltage88 kV · Gota Gota substation
- Capital structureSenior debt + equity · 70:30 target
- Storage10 MW / 20 MWh LFP, 2-hour (co-located)
- Project companyDaybreak Chiyaba Limited
Figures are indicative and subject to the financial model and technical reports in the data room. Generation and emissions estimates are set out in the technical reports in the data room.