By Zachary Gava
Harare, (New Ziana) – Zimbabwe’s US$100 million Mapanzure Solar Park in Zvishavane is taking shape as a major addition to the country’s renewable energy capacity, with the project expected to strengthen electricity supply while creating jobs, increasing investment and industrial development.
According to an update posted on the Government’s official National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) X handle, Phase 1 of the solar project is nearing completion after reaching an installed capacity of 60 megawatts (MW), while a second phase will contribute another 40MW.
Once both phases are completed, the project will have a total capacity of 100MW DC, equivalent to 85MW AC, and is expected to generate about 200 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually.
The development comes as the country seeks to diversify its power generation mix and increase the contribution of renewable energy to national electricity supply, amid growing demand for reliable power to support economic activity.
Government platform described the project as more than an investment in solar infrastructure, saying it represents an important contribution to the country’s broader development ambitions.
“This is more than solar panels. It means more electricity, jobs, investment and productive capacity,” it said, linking the project to the energy security and industrialization objectives under NDS2 and Vision 2030.
A particularly significant feature of the project is its contribution to local employment where about 95 percent of the workforce is reportedly Zimbabwean, highlighting the potential of large-scale renewable energy projects to generate employment and develop local skills beyond the construction of physical infrastructure.
The project is also expected to contribute to increased electricity availability, providing additional power for households, businesses and productive sectors of the economy.
The project’s scale also demonstrates the growing role of private investment in expanding Zimbabwe’s electricity-generation capacity and supporting the transition towards cleaner energy.
As Phase 1 approaches completion and Phase 2 takes the project towards its targeted 100MW capacity, Mapanzure is emerging not only as a renewable energy project, but as part of Zimbabwe’s wider effort to turn its natural resources into productive capacity, employment and sustainable economic development.
New Ziana
