Fred

Free thinker

[Zimbabwe Economic Review @ZimbabweReview]

CENTRAGRID SOLAR PLANT POWERS ZIMBABWE WITH 25MW OF CLEAN ENERGY.

Located in Nyabira, Mashonaland West, the Centragrid Solar Power Plant is one of Zimbabwe’s key renewable energy projects.

🔹 Project started: 2014
🔹 Phase 1 completed: 2018 (2MW connected to the national grid)
🔹 Expansion launched: 2023
🔹 Expansion completed: 2024
🔹 Current generation capacity: 25MW

The plant supplies clean electricity to the national grid, helping improve power availability in Norton, Chinhoyi, Karoi, Bindura and surrounding areas while strengthening Zimbabwe’s energy security.

The project has also created jobs, stimulated local economic activity and demonstrated the role renewable energy can play in driving sustainable development and economic growth.

Centragrid is a strong example of how private sector investment is helping Zimbabwe expand electricity generation and transition towards cleaner energy sources.

[Eng. Bhovungane @ny_emman]

Zambia inaugurated the 136 MW Itimpi Phase II Solar Project in Kitwe, developed by Copperbelt Energy Corporation Plc & powered by Sungrow Power Supply Co. The project cost a total of US $125.8 million and its construction took 14 months to complete.

[Wisdom musikavanhu @MakuzaWisd92236]

Mount Sinia, Toronto Student Accommodation Project Set to Transform Mutare

US$15 million development to house 500 students and boost local jobs

MUTARE – A US$15 million student accommodation complex is under construction at Mount Sinia, Toronto, in Ward 22, Mutasa South Constituency, set to ease the accommodation crisis for over 500 students from Africa University and other institutions across Mutare.

The project marks a major turnaround for the site, which was previously plagued by illegal miners. Work is now underway, with about US$3 million already invested in rehabilitating the land. Engineers are on site carrying out groundwork and site preparations, and machinery is already in place.

The development aligns with Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS 2), which reflects the nation’s resolve to transition toward a prosperous and empowered upper middle-income society by 2030 under His Excellency President Dr. Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Mount Sinia, Toronto, often mistakenly associated with Christmas Pass Mountain, is private property owned by Mr. Max Chard. He is transforming it into a valuable community asset through student accommodation.

Mr. Chard confirmed the development will center on a 700-meter, one-storey modular complex designed for students. Plans also include a large commercial kitchen to create jobs for women in Ward 22, alongside a library, supermarkets, and sports facilities. A biodigester will be installed, introducing new waste-management capacity to Mutare and Manicaland.

Landowner Mr. Chard said the Mount Sinia site shares no boundaries with Christmas Pass Mountain, Cecil Kopje National Park, Hillcrest Group of Schools, or the telecom masts on Christmas Pass peak.

He noted Mount Sinia is about 6 km from Christmas Pass and Cecil Kopje by road, with two peaks in between, while the masts are 3 km away.

“Claims that the project endangers the community, Christmas Pass, Cecil Kopje, or telecom equipment are factually unfounded,” he said.

“Once the project is complete, the complex is expected to relieve student accommodation pressure while stimulating local business and employment,” he added.

The project was first planned in 2018 but stalled after the Infrastructure Development Bank of Zimbabwe (IDBZ) withdrew funding due to a policy change. It has now been revived, signaling renewed investor confidence and greater economic stability.

After a long search for partners, the landowners have secured a deal with Chinese construction firm Golden Cube Corporation, known for smart-city developments in China, Europe, and Africa.

The investment signals growing confidence in Mutare’s education sector. It also positions Mount Sinia as a key contributor to Mutare’s smart city ambitions, where planned infrastructure, green spaces, and mixed-use facilities aim to create a modern, sustainable urban node linked to the city’s education hub.

[The Herald Zimbabwe @HeraldZimbabwe]

The solar plant has a capacity of 10 megawatts and is expected to generate approximately 20 GWh annually.
This is the first phase and the project will have a total capacity of 110 megawatts once complete.
The plant has 18 600 solar panels, supported by 31 inverters, two smart transformers and a 6-kilometre transmission line connecting seamlessly to the national grid.
📸: Believe Nyakudjara

[newZWire @newswireZW]

The new 10.8MW Glovers Solar Park in Munyati, near Kwekwe, has been commissioned and connected to the ZESA grid. The project is being developed by New Glovers Solar and New Sahara Ventures.

Glovers CEO Clever Chinoda says this is the first phase of a 110MW project.

Zimbabwe has a power shortage and has licensed nearly 2,000MW of solar projects. But most of these have not taken off because investors are worried about currency risks and low tariffs.

To address this, Government has signed agreements with some developers. These deals guarantee cost-reflective tariffs, a confirmed power buyer, and the assurance that they can repatriate profits.

[The Herald Zimbabwe @HeraldZimbabwe]

US$160 million solar plant for Marondera https://t.co/LNoaNCWVwW

[Zviko Juma @ZvikoJuma2303]

Zimplats has kicked off its US$54M Phase 2A, 45MW solar plant! ⚡
Completion expected in H1 2027, bringing total solar capacity to 80MW and boosting energy security. 🌞
#Zimplats #SolarPower #RenewableEnergy #EDDelivers

[Fred @freshfreddo]

@DrZengeni Congratulations Doc

[Eng. Bhovungane @ny_emman]

Vungu Solar Pvt Ltd has entered into a GPSA agreement with the Government of Zimbabwe to develop the 30MW Vungu Solar project. The generated electricity will be sold to Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC). The project is being developed by Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG) through its project development arm, InfraCo, in partnership with Energywise and Impala Power Company Ltd (Impala).
📸 InfraCo Africa

[Cicada Africa @AfricaCicada]

Cicada Solar is proud to announce the commissioning of a 1MW solar plant at Falcon College, near Bulawayo.

This plant will ensure that Falcon has plenty of reliable cost-effective power for its thriving classrooms, dormitories and sports fields, as the College grows from strength to strength. #Cicada Solar has also financed and will operate and maintain the solar plant, so our partnership with Falcon has just begun.

#CicadaSolar #GreenEnergy #SolarEnergy #SustainableEnergy #GoGreen #SolarZimbabwe #Zimbabwe

[Jacob Maroga @jacob_maroga]

AI Data Centres are the new drivers of electricity demand. 100MW data centres are now being build on GW-scale campuses requiring 24/7 power at 99.99% reliability. But, the dominant generation sources been built of solar & wind come at capacity factors of 25-40%.

[Eng. Bhovungane @ny_emman]

Kariba North Bank Extension Power Corporation's 100 MW Solar Plant in Chisamba District, Zambia has taken less than a year to construct
PowerChina International Group Limited was contracted for the works. It is part of Zambia's response to tackle low generation from Kariba Hydro

[newZWire @newswireZW]

Energy investor @CrossBoundary has completed a deal to buy @CaledoniaMining’s 12.2MW solar plant at Blanket Mine.

Caledonia built the plant for $14.3M in 2023. It is now selling it for $22.3M. The profit will go towards mine expansion.

More here 🔗https://t.co/ikGP1968Zg

[The Chronicle @ChronicleZim]

Caledonia Mining nets US$14.3 million profit from solar plant sale
https://t.co/G5D2kVQ2kl

[Eng. Bhovungane @ny_emman]

Would it be a good business idea to rent closed factory roofs, and install mini solar power systems, at least 1.5 MW each to feed to the grid, and in future to be used by the factories when re-opened. If you target 100 sites in Belmont & Workington, that's a combined 150MW?

[Eng. Bhovungane @ny_emman]

Freda Rebecca Gold Mine is expected to install a 6MW solar power plant by June 2025. It will go a long way in partly addressing power challenges facing the mine, which has a plant that consumes 20MW of electrical power.

[newZWire @newswireZW]

With its new 35MW solar plant now live, Zimplats is now lining up funding for the next 45MW phase https://t.co/ZiTIEpc30M

[Kuda Mugova 🇿🇼 @kmugova]

Apparently one needs to pay about US$100k on regulatory compliance in Zimbabwe before setting up a solar plant.

[Sawyer Merritt @SawyerMerritt]

NEWS: The first four-hour duration battery energy storage system of its kind in the Netherlands is now operational.

It's powered by @Tesla's Megapack battery (10 MW/40 MWh).

[ZW Climate Brief @ZWClimateBrief]

Zimplats says its 35MW solar plant was commissioned in August 2024 & has now reached design generation capacity. The platinum miner highlighted that cumulative spend on the solar plant project reached a budget of US$37 million during the period to December 2024.
#solar #Zimplats