Independent power producer to build plant in Gweru

Business Reporter
AN independent power producer, Sahara Energy Corporation, plans to build a 50 megawatt solar power plant in Gweru.
The company has submitted an application to the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera) for approval.
According to a public notice by Zera yesterday, the application had been done in terms of section 42 of the Electricity Act (Chapter 13:19) of 2002.

“Zera has received an application from Sahara Energy Corporation (Pvt) Ltd to construct, own operate and maintain a 50MW solar electricity generation station for the purpose of generation and supply of electricity in Zimbabwe,” it said.
The authority said the generation station would be called Sahara Solar Plant.

The proposed plant will be located at Lincolnshire Farm.
Sahara joins a growing number of independent power producers seeking licences from Zera following the liberalisation of the energy sector.
Government has opened up the electricity sector, which for years was a monopoly of the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority, to allow private investors.

More than 10 independent power producers with a combined capacity to produce more than 5 000MW have been given licences although few projects have taken off the ground, with fears that it might take more than five years for the IPPS to start generating electricity because of the heavy capital outlay required.