Chimanimani RDC Pledges Support Towards Solar Farm Investments

CHIMANIMANI EAST- Chimanimani Rural District Council has pledged land in support of
Government’s investment into solar farms to bridge the power supply gap deficit in the country’s
energy sector.
Chimanimani Rural District Council, Chief Executive Officer, Nehemiah Deure said the district
had identified at least 10 possible plots of land to offer for the establishment of solar farms and
the council was willing to work with development partners on such projects.
“We have vast unused land in the district which we have identified as possible plots for the
establishment of solar farms and the generation of green energy. We are open to invest in more
green energy projects as the country and more importantly the district is suffering severe power
challenges,” said Deure.
The district lay between all the agro-ecological regions thus providing for the much conducive
weather conditions for solar harvesting which could benefit thousands of households in the
district.
Parts of Chimanimani have been in the dark for months owing to loss of power infrastructure to
vandalism as well as natural disasters such Cyclone Idai and Cyclone Ana.
Chimanimani East legislator, Joshua Sacco said proposals had also been made to Government for
the construction of a dam on Tandayi River which could be an additional localised hydro-power
supply line for the district.
“Funds permitting, proposals have been submitted to Government for the construction of a dam
along the Tandayi River. The dam would supply water for Cashel Valley Irrigation Scheme and
surrounding resettlements. Once a dam like that has been built, the capacity to do hydro-electric
power will also be included in the design, but that would probably be for a localised grid,” said
Sacco.
Since the coming in of the Second Republic more foreign and local investors have shown a keen
interest in taking up opportunities in various sectors including investments in green energy.
Renewable energy sources have become the fastest solutions to ease the demand in energy
supply across the country.
Meanwhile, water levels at Kariba Lake have dropped to low levels to the extent that by mid-
December 2022 there will be insufficient water to generate electricity in the country.
ZESA has been ordered to shut down the Kariba South Power Station until next year as the
country has exceeded its water ration.