Staff Writer
With the continued power outages across the whole of the country, The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZZERA) has processed 39 solar power projects that have capacity to generate up 1 151,87MW, as the country moves towards renewable energy to curb power shortages. The projects require an investment of over US$2,3 billion.
ZERA Acting Chief Executive Officer Mr Eddington Mazambani confirmed that six of solar projects are already operational, while others are at various levels of consummation.
“The authority has so far received and processed a total of 39 solar energy projects, with six of them now functional, two (are) under construction and 31 (are) still to be developed”
“Three of the projects are at concept or pre-feasibility stage and have capacity to generate 111MW.
Twenty-two of the solar projects are at feasibility and technical studies level and have capacity to generate 885,1 MW, while three projects with capacity to generate 70MW are at feasibility or proof of bankability stage. Another three projects are at funding stage and can generate up to 53,3MW when concluded, while two projects are at construction stage,” said Mr Mazambani.
The interest in investing in solar projects in Zimbabwe comes at the good time when the country is experiencing prolonged and rolling power cuts due to obsolete equipment at thermal power plants and low water levels in Kariba Dam.
Several companies such as Matshela Energy, Harava Solar and Centragrid (Private) Limited are working on huge solar projects to alleviate power shortages which have hit domestic and commercial users hard. Centragrid, which is based in Nyabira, about 40km from central Harare, has started feeding 2,5MW into the national grid.
The 2,5MW can light up to 1 200 households. Harava Solar is expecting to commission its 20MW project in December this year.
Energy and Power Development Minister, Advocate Fortune Chasi has indicated that airports across the country will soon be powered by solar to reduce pressure on electricity.
Meanwhile, Mozambique’s Hidroelectrica de Cahora Bassa (HCB) will this week give 100 megawatts into the country’s power grid to ease power shortages in Zimbabwe. Minister Chasi paid a visit to Mozambique a week ago to negotiate for a payment plan in Mozambique. Chasi said the deal was long term but bonded by consistency in payments.
“The deal is firm, and we are confident that by the end of this week if not today we will be having more power for our industries. After paying part of what we owe them, we made a payment plan. We will pay what we are using as well as settle the debt so that they won’t cut the supply,” Chasi said. Chasi said the priority currently was the productive sector.
Accordingly, the 100 megawatt deal would supplement the current 400 megawatt facility from Eskom of South Africa. Chasi added that, “What we got from Eskom was an overdraft facility which is charged per usage, therefore, if we over use it, we will end up paying double the price so for now, our top priority is production.”
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