US$1 billion new power plant planned for Hwange

Titan New Energy plans to invest approximately US$1 billion in establishing a 720 megawatts waste-to-energy power plant in Hwange and a 200MW solar power plant in Gweru, the company has revealed.

The project is scheduled for full construction completion and commercial operation by the end of 2028, with an expected annual power output of 5,76 GKWh.

The project will deliver substantial benefits to Zimbabwe, including provision of reliable power supply and job creation, a stable power supply, reducing power shortages and creating numerous employment opportunities as well as offering Zimbabwe the potential to transition from an electricity importer to an electricity exporter.

The solar power plant will increase the share of renewable energy in the national energy mix, supporting the transition to cleaner, more sustainable energy sources.

By maintaining strict cost controls during construction, the project will ensure the delivery of reliable, affordable, and clean energy to Zimbabwe.

The waste-to-energy power plant will contribute to local environmental sustainability, achieving zero emissions through the full reuse of waste residues and wastewater, thus mitigating pollution.

The project is 100 percent funded by Titan New Energy with internal financing.

Titan New Energy and ZESA Holdings have already established a Memorandum of Understanding which among other things guides the development and construction of 720MW integrated power plant in Hwange and the development and construction of 200MW solar power plant in Gweru.

The MoU also provides the establishment of a joint working group, which will work closely in liaising with relevant regulatory bodies to ensure compliance with all local laws and regulations in development of projects

“The parties will also cooperate in the sharing of technical project information, project connectivity and modalities to ensure projects satisfy requisite technical requirements,” said the company.

Zimbabwe has been grappling with a severe power crisis, leading to frequent and prolonged blackouts.

The country’s electricity supply utility, ZESA Holdings, is struggling to meet the growing demand due to various factors.

Zimbabwe’s power generation infrastructure, particularly unit one to six at the Hwange Thermal Power Station, is outdated and often breaks down, leading to reduced capacity.

The Kariba hydropower plant, a significant source of electricity, is affected by low water levels in Lake Kariba due to droughts.

The impact of the power cuts is widespread, affecting households, businesses, and industries.

The Government has implemented load shedding schedules to manage the limited power supply, but these often lead to extended blackouts.

To address the crisis, the Government is pursuing various strategies, including upgrading and expanding the Hwange Thermal Power Station to increase its capacity.

The Government is also encouraging private sector investment in renewable energy projects to diversify the energy mix.-bsinessweekl