Chronicle Editor
Sikhulekelani Moyo, [email protected]
RAVENSUS (Pvt) Ltd, a company that is into renewable energy generation has been granted the greenlight by the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) to establish a 50 megawatts photovoltaic power plant in Shangani, Insiza District, Matabeleland South.
With the demand for energy supply increasing in response to growing investment in the country, captains of industry and commerce are working closely with the Government to drive more investments into renewable sources of energy.
In a statement issued by the company yesterday, indications are that the solar plant will be constructed at Kranspoort farm, which is in Shangani, Insiza District.
“The generation license is hereby granted to Ravensus Pvt Ltd in terms of Section 46 of the Electricity Act (Chapter 13: 19) to contrast, own, operate, and maintain the 50mw solar photovoltaic power plant at Kranspoort farm in Shangani, Insiza District in
Matabeleland South Province for the purpose of generation and supply of electricity,” reads part of the notice from ZERA.
“Subject to the Electricity Act and the term and conditions of the licence, the licensee may supply electricity to any transmission, distribution, or supply licensee who purchases electricity for resale and with approval of the authority, to anyone or more consumers.”
This comes at a time the country’s economy is registering strides under the Second Republic, which has rejuvenated domestic and foreign investor confidence through comprehensive ease of doing business reforms.
The implementation of many high-impact economic projects across different sectors demands massive power generation and supply capacity, which the power utility, Zesa, cannot achieve alone.
In response, several private sector players have started rolling out new energy projects focusing on renewable power such as solar to ease the burden of load shedding and anchor continuous operations.
In the 2023 National Budget statement, the Treasury revealed that the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) has licensed more than 60 independent power producers (IPPs) in the renewable energy space, with a capacity to generate 2000MW with the number continuing to increase with the coming in of new players.
Energy efficiency is critical under the National Development Strategy (NDS-1), which builds momentum towards the achievement of an upper middle-income economy vision by 2030.
Companies like Caledonia Mining Corporation have taken the lead by establishing a 12MW solar project at its Gwanda-based Blanket Mine, which will meet about 27 percent of the company’s total daily electricity demand.
Diversified agro-industrial concern, Schweppes Zimbabwe Limited, has also invested in a 564 kilowatts solar power plant for its factory in Beitbridge,
Matabeleland South province, which intends to generate power from the proposed solar plant for its own consumption.— @SikhulekelaniM1
Online Reporter