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Farirai Machivenyika-Senior Reporter
Zimbabwe and Zambia, through the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA), have instituted studies on the feasibility of installing floating solar systems at Kariba Dam, whose capacity to produce electricity from its hydro-electricity plants has diminished.
The El-Nino-enduced drought has resulted in reduced water inflows.
Energy and Power Development Minister Edgar Moyo told the National Assembly last week of the study, which is being done with the assistance of the African Development Bank.
The country is experiencing depressed generation capacity at its main power plants at Kariba Dam and Hwange Thermal Power Station.
“There is also a programme that we are working on through ZRA and as council of ministers which is a bi-national body bringing together Zambia and Zimbabwe. We have commissioned a study which is being financed by AfDB to look at the viability of floating solar systems on Lake Kariba.
“That is ongoing and it is our timeline that by the first quarter of 2025, that feasibility study will be complete and then that will help us to commence works on floating solar systems on lake Kariba.
“There are other programmes also on floating solar systems on Lake Kariba which are going to begin early next year. So, these are some of the things we are doing,” Minister Moyo said.
Floating solar systems enable companies to expand solar power plants without taking up more land and are environmentally-friendly. Solar modules that are mounted on floating platforms promise high yields while their proximity to water could support the cooling of solar cells, thus enabling them to work efficiently even in hot weather conditions.
Kariba has an installed production capacity of 1 050MW, but has been producing around 200 MW.
The Minister also told the House that the Government was also engaging the International Atomic Energy Agency to explore prospects of establishing nuclear power plants.
“As Zimbabwe, we have expressed our interest to the IAEA our desire to get into nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. They are with us and they are taking us through.
“Committees have been set up, which are looking into that and there are milestones that we have to meet as a country before we get to the stage of developing small modular reactors so that our contribution of clean energy mix is heightened. So, we hope these are some of the things, programmes and projects which are going to increase our contribution to the energy mix of clean energy,” Minister Moyo said.
Zesa executive chairman, Dr Sydney Gata last week said nine public and private power generation projects will be commissioned next year that will add 2 690 megawatts to the national grid and ease power cuts.
Some of the projects that will add power to the national grid include the 800MW Hwange repowering project that is being developed by Indian firm, Jindal and will be complete by December next year.
Online Reporter