EFFORTS are underway to construct a 20 megawatt solar power plant at a cost of about US$20 million in Gweru to boost Zimbabwe’s energy supply efficiency in line with Vision 2030 targets.
The proposed Clover New Energy (Pvt) Ltd Solar Power Plant will be implemented under the strategic partnership between Zimbabwe and China on renewable energy projects.
The new plant is expected to begin generating electricity in August 2026, while the captive power station is scheduled to come on stream by the end of 2027.
Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Owen Ncube, said this during a tour of the plant’s construction site in Gweru recently.
Addressing independent power producers, Clover New Energy management and Government officials, Minister Ncube underscored the importance of partnerships in driving Zimbabwe’s energy sector forward.
“It is with great pleasure that I address you on this landmark occasion of the tour of the US$20 million 20 megawatt Clover New Energy (Pvt) Ltd Solar Power Plant construction works, demonstrating our motherland Zimbabwe’s beneficial partnerships with independent power producers that complement existing power generation plants, among them Hwange Thermal and Kariba Hydro Power Plants,” he said.
Minister Ncube said Zimbabwe’s strategic partnership with China and the implementation of renewable energy projects such as the Clover New Energy Solar Power Plant are crucial steps towards achieving energy sufficiency, efficiency and security, and ultimately Vision 2030.AI technology implementation
“Today’s event amplifies the elevated comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation between Zimbabwe and the People’s Republic of China entered into by President Mnangagwa and his counterpart, President Xi Jinping.
“This underscores our cordial relations underpinned by shared historical experiences and desire to modernise, industrialise and uplift community livelihoods from poverty to a higher quality of life,” he said.
Minister Ncube added that China remains Zimbabwe’s biggest investment partner, creating jobs, modernising infrastructure, transferring technology and developing skills across key economic sectors.
He commended Clover New Energy Private Limited, a subsidiary of Jin An Chrome Smelting Company, for implementing the climate-smart, energy-efficient solar project, which is vital in reducing electricity imports, energy costs and carbon emissions.
Minister Ncube noted that since the inception of the Second Republic, bold and strategic policy decisions had been adopted to improve energy sufficiency, efficiency and security through incentives, duty-free solar imports and the requirement for heavy industries to develop their own power supply by 2026.
“Tangible signature projects rolled out in the energy sector include 500MW Kariba Floating Solar Plant, the 10,8 megawatt Munyati Solar Park here in the Midlands Province, Hwakwata 200 kilowatt Solar mini grid serving 100 households as well as schools and clinics, 100 kilowatt solar PV mini grid in Dete, Hwange Unit 7 and 8 in Matabeleland North, and several bio gas projects at schools, clinics and homesteads,” he said.
Minister Ncube urged other manufacturing companies in the province to establish similar renewable energy plants in line with the Second Republic’s NDS2 pillar on infrastructure development and housing, which promotes the expansion of national renewable energy capacity.
Addressing the same event, founder and chairman of Jin An Group, Mr Zhou Xuegong, said the project formed part of a broader US$140 million energy investment that includes a 100 megawatt captive power plant.
“The project would help stabilise electricity supplies in the Midlands province while supporting industrial growth and increasing the share of clean energy in Zimbabwe’s power mix,” he said.AI technology implementation
Mr Xuegong also said the development would create jobs and support local communities.
“Once the projects are completed, ferrochrome plants in the Gweru Heavy Industrial Site will operate at full capacity, significantly increasing export production,” he said.
China Western Power Industrial Company Limited chief executive officer Mr Huang Youquan said the project marks a major milestone in strengthening the Midlands’ energy infrastructure.
Mr Huang said the company would prioritise safety, quality and efficient construction to ensure the project connects to the national grid as soon as possible.
“The project will create local employment and provide skills training while supporting Zimbabwe’s transition to cleaner energy,” he said.-herald
