Upemba Powers Ahead with Clean Energy: A Solar Flagship for a Greener Future

As the world marked World Energy Day yesterday, the Upemba National Park proudly celebrates a tangible step toward sustainable energy independence. In August 2025, the park inaugurated the installation of its first photovoltaic power station; a landmark achievement in its long-term vision to remain fully green and energy self-sufficient.

The project, designed and implemented through collaboration between the park’s technical teams and partners with the support of the European Union, responds to a long-standing challenge: the lack of reliable and sustainable electricity in remote conservation areas. For years, the park’s operations and nearby communities relied on costly, polluting generators. The new solar central marks a turning point, considerably reducing the use of fossil fuels with renewable energy drawn directly from the abundant sunlight of the Upemba plateau.

Beyond providing power to the park’s administrative and operational units, the photovoltaic system stands as a symbol of commitment to a global energy transition. It embodies the core message of World Energy Day; that access to sustainable, affordable, and clean energy is essential not only for development but also for the protection of our planet’s natural heritage.

The Upemba National Park aims to replicate this model across its network and in nearby communities, promoting equitable access to clean energy as part of its broader environmental and social responsibility.

As the lights powered by the new solar system illuminate the heart of the park, they also shine as a beacon of possibility; showing that even in the most remote landscapes, innovation, collaboration, and resilience can drive a truly sustainable and greener future for all.

Images: Patrick Fitz (Courtesy)