Renewable energy dominates new power projects

Harare (New Ziana) – Renewable energy technologies constitute the majority of operational and other licenced Independent Power Producer (IPP) projects currently under construction in the country, a list released by the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera) on Wednesday shows.

For example, the authority said at least seven solar Photo Voltaic projects were at an advanced stage of construction and were expected to come on line by end of the year.

Zera acting chief executive officer Eddington Mazambani the seven solar projects have a combined installed capacity of 66.6MW.

“We are happy with the pace of development particularly among the renewable energy projects. The fact that we are expecting seven power plants to come on line by end of year is a clear signal that we do have robust regulations that protect the investor and the consumer as well. As you are aware, energy is a key enabler of economic development,” he said.

“The country is endowed with ideal solar irradiation for solar PV projects, perennial runoff the river sites for mini-hydro plants in the Eastern Highlands and several inland dams with potential for power generation.”

According to the list by Zera, at least 18 IPP projects, including the Nyangani mini-hydro power plant along the Pungwe River in Honde Valley, Manicaland and the Nottingham Estates solar/diesel power plant were already supplying electricity to the national grid.

At least eight other IPPs, including the Harava solar park in Mashonaland East and the 25MW Chidobe-Mizpah solar PV plant were at various stages of construction.

Mazambani said to date; the energy regulator had at least 91 IPP and state owned licensed power projects in its register.
New Ziana