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Freedom Mupanedemo Midlands Bureau
Three companies have approached Zibagwe Rural District Council in Kwekwe District with the view of setting up solar energy plants, amid revelations the district was one of the best sites for such projects in Zimbabwe.
Recently, the country’s sole ammonium nitrate producer, Sable Chemicals, announced that it had entered into a partnership with Katanga Solar Energy to fund a project in Kwekwe District that would produce up to 400 megawatts.
In an interview, Zibagwe RDC chief executive Mr Farai Machaya said more solar energy companies were showing interest in setting up solar energy plants and were approaching the local authority with the view of acquiring land for the project. “There are many companies that have approached us intending to set up solar plants in the area.
“After the Sable chemicals and Katanga Solar Energy plant that we provided land for, we have three more companies which we are still assessing their investment proposal before we commit ourselves,” said Mr Machaya who declined to name the companies that were seeking to put up the plants in the area.
Mr Machaya said the radiation levels in Kwekwe’s Zibagwe area were the best in the province for solar energy generation hence the interest from the companies. “It seems the area is one of the best in terms of radiation because there seems to be much interest. We, however, welcome such development in the area as the local authority and we welcome any company intending to invest,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sable Chemicals chief executive Mr Bothwell Nyajeka recently said feasibility studies for its solar energy project were now complete and the company was seeking to obtain an operational licence with the Zimbabwe Energy Regulation Authority.
“We have already secured land under Zibagwe Rural District Council to establish what we call the Katanga Sola Farm.
“The solar farm will be in a position to produce up to 400 megawatts which will the connected to the national grid,” he said.
Mr Nyajeka said Kwekwe was strategically positioned for the solar project.
“Our feasibility studies in terms of radiation have shown that the area is the best for such a project,” he said.
Online Reporter