Online Reporter
President Mnangagwa on Friday commissioned the New Glovers 10MW Solar Power Plant in Munyati, Kwekwe. The plant, which is already feeding electricity into the national grid, has 18 000 solar panels, more than 30 inverters and two smart transformers.
The target is to increase electricity generated by the plant to 100MW. Addressing captains of industry and commerce at the commissioning of the plant, President Mnangagwa said the project is part of the ongoing efforts to diversify the national energy mix and build resilience against climate change and associated energy challenges.
“The New Glovers Solar is an indigenous independent power producer that has built the 10MW plant and this demonstrates the role played by the private sector in complementing Government efforts to modernise and grow our economy,” he said.
President Mnangagwa said reliable and affordable energy remained central to the Second Republic’s economic transformation agenda, modernisation drive and industrialisation thrust.
He said such projects were critical in accelerating agricultural productivity, rural industrialisation and infrastructure development across the country.
“When Government and the private sector work hand-in-hand, Zimbabwe can deliver projects of international standards,” said President Mnangagwa.
The Munyati power plant apart from generating electricity, is already empowering communities through job creation, skills transfer and improved livelihoods in line with the Government’s philosophy of leaving no one and no place behind.
President Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe was strategically positioned to become a regional leader in solar energy production due to its abundant sunshine.
New Glovers Solar has joined the league of producers of clean energy such as Blanket Mine in Gwanda, Centragrid in Nyabira, Mashonaland West, Solgas Energy at Cross Mabale in Matabeleland North province and Zimplats also in Mashonaland West.
Generation of solar energy is in line with the Government’s quest to produce clean energy as it takes measures to meet the global climate-change adaptation and mitigation commitments.
Many private companies have been issued licences to produce solar energy across the country and it is our fervent hope that the companies are working on the projects. Big companies such as Mimosa Mine in Zvishavane and Pretoria Portland Cement (PPC) in Bulawayo have announced that work on their plants is already underway.
Zimbabwe, like the rest of the Sadc region, is experiencing subdued energy generation hence the need for more companies to invest in the generation of solar energy.
Government has implored more companies to invest in the energy sector so that the country is not just guaranteed adequate electricity but produces even surplus for export.
Energy is key to the achievement of vision 2030 and we want to commend companies that have already heeded the Government’s call to invest in the energy sector and urge others that are yet to come on board to do so.
Zimbabwe, like the rest of Africa, has abundant sunshine throughout the year and companies should take advantage of this God-given resource to invest in renewable energy.
