Zera grants licences for Midlands, Matobo solar projects
THE Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera) has granted a combined 230-megawatt solar power generating licences in Matobo District and Midlands province to SunOne (Pvt) Limited.
The development is expected to boost renewable energy production in the country and ease load shedding at a time when Independent Power Producers are contributing about 4,8 percent of output.
Government has positioned the country to promote green energy solutions under the broader national vision of having Independent Power Producers (IPPs) adding 2 000 megawatts to the national grid by 2030.
The initiative aligns with Zimbabwe’s commitment to sustainable energy development. In Matobo, the firm is scheduled to construct, own, operate and maintain a 130MW solar photovoltaic power plant at subdivision 1 of the remaining extent of Vreigevight.
On the other hand, in the Midlands province, a 100MW solar photovoltaic power plant is earmarked in Nyikavanhu Resettlement scheme in Chirumanzu District. Both licences were granted on February 14 this year.
According to both power plants licenses, subject to the Electricity Act and the terms and conditions of the licence, 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.
Meanwhile, in a statement released in its 2024 first-quarter report, Zera said a total of 2 897 gigawatt hour (GWh) was supplied during the second quarter of 2024 consisting of 2 456 GWhs supplied by Zimbabwe Power Company while IPPs supplied 108 GWhs.
“IPPs contributed 4,8 percent of local generation. Imports from regional utilities were 510 GWhs while exports to Nampower and the Day-Ahead-Market (DAM) were 177 GWhs.”
The regulatory authority said one small hydro power plant, Odzi Plant, was commissioned during the first-half of 2024, with a capacity of 0,4MW.
THE Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera)
Energy delivered from transmission for the second quarter increased by 20 percent compared to 2 405 GWh delivered during the first quarter of the year.
It added that the promotion of Net-Metering has resulted in 15MW capacity installed to date.
Zera initiatives aim to promote investment in renewable energy projects and increase supplies to meet national demand attracted 17 power projects with a combined capacity of 1 759 megawatts last year.
Zimbabwe is scaling up efforts to harness clean energy sources in line with the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), which places emphasis on reliable and affordable energy development.
Government has already crafted the National Renewable Energy Policy to achieve and install a renewable capacity of 1 100MW or 16,5 percent of total electricity by 2025.
By 2030, the target is that the installed renewable energy capacity should be 2 100MW or 26,5 percent of the overall electricity supply.
More local companies have started using renewable energy such as solar while broader initiatives such as investing in smaller hydro-power plants, wind and establishment of bio-digesters in rural areas are being worked on.-newsda
