Online Reporter
Zimpapers Reporter
THE 100-megawatt (MW) Gwanda Solar Project is back on track after developer Intratrek Zimbabwe received a Notice to Proceed from Government, which has directed the contractor to complete the power plant within 24 months.
The development follows the signing of a restated Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract on March 27, 2025, between Government, through the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC), and Intratrek Zimbabwe.
Intratrek’s technical EPC partner for the project is CHiNT Electric Co. Ltd, a Shanghai-headquartered global solar and electrical equipment giant and Fortune 500 company.
The project’s completion is seen as critical to Zimbabwe’s efforts to address chronic electricity shortages, reduce reliance on costly power imports and diversify its energy mix beyond vulnerable hydroelectric sources.
Zimbabwe has an installed generation capacity of between 2 600MW and 2 962MW, but average output often ranges between 1 400MW and 1 600MW against peak national demand estimated at between 2 000MW and 4 000MW, resulting in a significant power deficit.
Once completed, the plant is expected to provide reliable green energy to key productive sectors such as mining and agriculture, supporting industrialisation and broader economic growth.
Intratrek was awarded the contract for the 100MW Gwanda Solar Project in late 2014 after emerging as the lowest compliant bidder, with the initial EPC cost pegged at US$172 million.
Other bidders included ZTE Corporation, Number 17 Metallurgical China, China Jiangxi International Corporation and Afriven Investments.
ZPC and Intratrek later agreed to reduce the EPC cost to US$132 million in line with declining global solar plant construction costs.
However, the project stalled amid challenges linked to Zimbabwe’s sovereign debt to China and prolonged litigation instituted by Zesa Holdings, ZPC’s parent company, over implementation delays.
In April 2018, ZPC terminated the EPC contract, arguing that delays and lapses in agreed timelines justified the cancellation despite having made an advance payment.
Intratrek challenged the decision at the High Court, which ruled on January 11, 2023, that the contract remained valid and enforceable.
ZPC appealed the ruling, but the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal on December 1, 2023, confirming that Intratrek Zimbabwe, owned by Harare businessman Wicknell Chivayo, held a valid contract for the project.
The ruling paved the way for specific performance of the contract and ultimately led to the reinstatement of the EPC agreement.
In a recent letter to Intratrek outlining conditions for accelerated implementation, ZPC said:
“Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8.1 of the EPC contract, this letter serves as the formal Notice to Proceed with the full implementation of the contract. Accordingly, the contractor is hereby authorised to commence execution of the works and to take immediate occupation of the project site in accordance with the conditions of the contract.
“The project duration shall be 24 months, in line with the agreed Programme of Works, as set out in the EPC Contract and its accompanying schedules. You are required to mobilise to the site and commence activities without delay.”
Government said site works would commence once an Advance Mobilisation Payment is released.
Intratrek will also be required to provide regular progress updates to the Office of the President and Cabinet, the employer’s representative and Government as project owner to ensure compliance with contractual obligations and implementation timelines.
“The contractor is expected to submit periodic progress reports in accordance with the contract’s stipulated reporting requirements and to adhere to all obligations regarding project milestones and compliance requirements.
“The Government of Zimbabwe expresses its keen anticipation for the successful execution of this national project, which is instrumental in achieving electricity self-sufficiency and enhancing energy security. The employer shall continue to monitor progress and ensure that all contractual commitments are met to deliver a project that meets international engineering and power generation standards,” Government said.
Before the Notice to Proceed was issued, Intratrek principal Mr Chivayo had pledged to complete the project, describing it as strategically important to the country and undertaking to personally fund the development without Government financial support.
Responding to the notice, Intratrek executive chairman Mr Wilson Manatse expressed appreciation to Government for facilitating progress on the long-delayed project.
“The Notice to Proceed represents a critical project milestone as it signals the formal commencement of execution of the works. We are pleased to confirm that pursuant to the Notice, we are now proceeding with the immediate mobilisation of our project teams to site, together with the earth moving and associated construction equipment.
“Our mobilisation will encompass site establishment of temporary site facilities and other preparatory activities necessary to position the project for full-scale execution of the subsequent EPC works. We further confirm that the requisite advance payment guarantee was established and submitted to your office through our technical partner, CHiNT Electric and all other arrangements required to commence implementation are now in place.
“We shall accordingly continue to coordinate with ZPC throughout execution of the project. The 100MW Gwanda solar project is of national strategic importance, particularly in the context of the Government’s broader objectives of energy security and advancing the attainment of electricity self-sufficiency under Vision 2030.
We accordingly take this opportunity to express our profound gratitude to the Government in achieving this important milestone,” Mr Manatse said.
