Lubimbi obtains licence for 5MW plant

LUBIMBI Power and Gas (Private) Limited has been granted a licence by the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera) to establish a five megawatts coal-bed methane gas-fired power plant in Lubimbi area.

Gas pipeline – Image taken from Shutterstock

In a statement that accompanied the generation licence from Zera, Lubimbi Power and Gas (Private) Limited said they have been granted permission to construct, own, operate and maintain the power plant.

“In terms of section 46 (6) of the Electricity Act (Chapter13:19), Lubimbi Power and Gas Private Limited hereby publishes a copy of the generation licence issued by the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera) that authorises LUBIMBI Power and Gas (Pvt) to construct, own, operate and maintain the 5 MW Coal Bed Methane Gas Fired power plant at Lubimbi Fields area, Lupane district, Matebeleland North province,” said Lubimbi Power and Gas (Pvt).

The licence comes after Lubimbi Power and Gas (Pvt) Limited submitted an application with the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera) to establish a 5MW coal-bed methane gas-fired power plant in Lubimbi area.

Meanwhile, early this year Hwange Colliery Company Limited (HCCL), which runs Lubimbi Power and Gas (Pvt) Limited as part of its three concessions in Western Area, Lubimbi East and West had explored prospects of establishing the power generation plant to complement mining processes.

In a statement, Zera said they have granted a generation licence to Lubimbi Power and Gas (Pvt) Limited in terms of Section 42 of the Electricity Act to start activities on the 5 MW plant.

HWANGE Colliery Company Limited

“Subject to the Electricity Act and the terms and conditions of this license, the licensee may supply electricity to any transmission, distribution or supply Licensee who purchases electricity for resale and with the approval of the Authority, to any one or more consumers,” said Zera.

Meanwhile, the drive for renewed energy is continuing to gain momentum, which is inspired by growing consciousness of environmental interests and climate change concerns.

Government has been pursuing big energy projects such as Hwange units 7 and 8 expansion and are also being complemented by independent power producers.-ebusinessweekly