The US Trade and Development Agency has offered $1.05m of funding support to a 130MW wind farm development in Zambia.
The grant helps finance a bankable feasibility study, being conducted by developers Access Power and EREN Renewable Energy.
The $275m undertaking will by Zambia's first wind power project and one of the largest renewable energy developments in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Zambia relies on hydroelectricity for around 96% of its energy needs, making it particularly vulnerable to drought conditions.
"By bringing this pioneering project to fruition with the support of USTDA we aim to diversify Zambia's energy mix and tap into its vast clean energy power generation potential," Acccess Power managing director Vahid Fotuhi said.
The USTDA's acting director, Thomas R. Hardy, said the project will create opportunities for US exporters in a new and growing sector in Zambia.