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Herald Reporter
Great Zimbabwe Hydro Power Plant has started feeding power into the grid after a successful trial run.
The company’s executive director Ms Memory Mashingaidze said the development was a “significant milestone” that will help alleviate power shortages.
“The much-anticipated Great Zimbabwe Hydro Power Plant, has officially commenced operations, marking a significant milestone in Zimbabwe’s efforts to bolster its renewable energy sector and address growing electricity demands,” she said.
“The project is the first of its kind in Zimbabwe to be built adjacent to an existing ZINWA (Zimbabwe National Water Authority) dam, and is expected to play a critical role in enhancing the country’s energy security and driving sustainable development.”
The project was made possible through a strategic collaboration between a consortium of investors, including the Danish Investment Fund, Frontier Energy, and local investors Old Mutual Life Assurance Company Zimbabwe Limited, the Public Service Pension Fund, ZB Financial Holdings Pension Fund and MOL Power.
Together, the entities provided the financial and technical backing to bring the hydroelectric plant to fruition.
Ms Mashingaidze paid tribute to all who played a part in making sure that the renewable energy project came to fruition.
The new power plant was designed to generate clean and renewable energy and would support the country’s industrial growth in line with Vision 2030.
Mr Daniel Schultz, one of the founding partners of Frontier Energy said the new hydropower project would spur socio-economic development in Masvingo and Zimbabwe at large.
“We are thrilled to see the Great Zimbabwe Hydro Power Plant commence operations and begin contributing to Zimbabwe’s power grid, creating jobs and stimulating local economies in Masvingo and surrounding regions,” he said.
Old Mutual Zimbabwe group chief executive officer Mr Samuel Matsekete said his firm’s involvement in the Lake Mutirikwi hydro power project was confirmation of their commitment to Zimbabwe’s socio-economic transformation.
“This project underscores our commitment to sustainable energy solutions, to supporting the growth of the economy, and to creating positive economic and social impacts for the communities. We are also excited to be playing a key role in Masvingo’s first-ever power project of this nature through the Old Mutual Life Assurance Company Zimbabwe Limited alongside our partners,” he said.
Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ezra Chadzamira said completion of the power project was another success on the part of the Second Republic.
“The Mutirikwi power project speaks to President Mnangagwa’s mantra that ‘Nyika Inovakwa Nevene Vayo’ and as a province we are happy that under the Second Republic, our province continues to witness roll out of game-changing projects that are growing our GDP while also having a direct impact on the lives of our people,” said Minister Chadzamira.
Masvingo City Council town clerk Engineer Edward Mukaratirwa said the Mutirikwi power project will improve the power supply in the town in a move that will enable them to improve water supply.
The Mutirikwi power plant is the first in a series of eco-friendly power projects in Masvingo with another 5MW earmarked for an area.
Work has also started at another hydropower plant at Tugwi-Mukosi Dam that will produce 17MW.
Online Reporter