Online Reporter
Patrick Chitumba
CONSTRUCTION of the 20-megawatt solar power plant at Almid Private Limited in Gweru has reached 60 percent completion, with the project expected to support electricity supplies for the ferrochrome industry and ease pressure on the national grid.
The solar plant is part of a broader US$140 million energy investment by Jin An Group, which also includes plans for a 100MW captive power plant expected to be operational by the end of 2027.
The investments are expected to provide more reliable electricity for Jin An’s five furnaces, enabling the company to increase ferrochrome production, create jobs and support Government’s drive towards Vision 2030.
Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Dr Zhemu Soda recently toured the project together with the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr Nick Mangwana, and Secretary for Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution Dr Edgar Seenza, among other Government officials.
Dr Soda said the investment demonstrated the Second Republic’s commitment to industrialisation.
“We were shown the smelting process taking place, and they indicated that they will be moving to their own power supply through a 20-megawatt solar plant. The Government is currently providing power to ferrochrome producers at a subsidised rate,” he said.
Jin An finance manager Mr Munyaradzi Matanyaire said construction of the solar facility was progressing well, with major equipment already being transported to the site.
“We are at about 60 percent completion of the solar programme. Major equipment for the solar plant was already en route and would soon be installed, along with transmission infrastructure to connect directly to the company’s furnaces,” he said.
Mr Matanyaire said the investment was critical to meeting the company’s high electricity requirements.
Jin An operates five furnaces that require about 50 megawatts to run at full capacity.
The 20MW solar plant will supplement electricity supplied through the national grid, providing a more stable power source for the company’s operations.
The push for alternative energy sources comes amid growing demand for reliable and affordable electricity from Zimbabwe’s mining and manufacturing sectors.
Meanwhile, the Government delegation also assessed progress on other development projects in the Midlands.
In Zvishavane, the team visited Midlands Park Flats, a housing development aimed at increasing access to decent accommodation and helping reduce the national housing backlog.
Midlands Park Flats housing manager Mr Michael Kanengoni said the project was providing residents with affordable accommodation without compromising on quality.
“We have housing that is both low cost and of high quality. It is serving people in terms of quality and proper standards,” he said.
The delegation also visited Nkatazo Rural Clinic, which has since been upgraded to hospital status.
District medical officer, Dr Tapiwa Mavurayi, said the upgraded facility had improved access to healthcare for surrounding communities by reducing the distance residents travelled to seek treatment.
“Currently, we have been operating to serve a community that used to travel over five kilometres. We are now serving about 20 patients per day,” he said.
The projects align with the Government’s broader development agenda under National Development Strategy 2, which seeks to accelerate economic transformation and improve the quality of life of citizens as Zimbabwe works towards becoming an empowered and prosperous upper-middle-income society by 2030.
