The Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC), in partnership with private company Intratrek Zimbabwe, has started developing the country’s first ever solar power station.
The solar plant – valued at US$202 million – will be built in the town of Gwanda, located in the Matabeleland North province. It is expected to produce 100 MW and is the first of three solar power projects that will contribute a total of 300 MW to Zimbabwe’s power grid.
“With solar energy consumers will get cheap power whenever the plant is running. However there is need to have other efficient power stations on standby as it may be difficult to generate electricity at this type of station at night,” the Energy and Power Development Ministry was cited by online newspaper, the Southern Times, as saying.
Zimbabwe is currently importing 100 MW from Mozambique due to its Kariba hydropower station struggling during the drought and has proposed increasing tariffs to finance these imports, as well as alternative power projects and refurbishments. However, industrialists, farmers and miners have contested the increases, saying they will increase production costs.
