ZPC seeks to build power plant in Gwanda

Prince Sunduzani, Chronicle Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) has applied to the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) to construct a 100 megawatt Solar Photovoltaic power plant in Matabeleland South’s provincial capital, Gwanda.

ZERA Chief Executive Officer Engineer Gloria Magombo, said they issued a notice after ZPC lodged its application as required by law.

She said she could not answer whom ZPC would partner to construct the solar plant, but added that this was the first time an application had been lodged by the power company with ZERA for the Gwanda plant.

Media reports had in the past indicated that a Chinese company ZTE Corporation of China would construct the solar plant with ZPC and Intratrek Zimbabwe in a $146 million deal.

In a statement yesterday, ZERA said: “The Gwanda Solar Photovoltaic Power Plant will also involve the construction of a 15 kilometre line from the solar plant to the existing Gwanda 132kV substation, a 132kV line Bay at the new Gwanda Solar Plant site, a 132kV line bay at the existing Gwanda 132kV substation, a 20v reactor at Gwanda, a 132kv substation and substation ancillary equipment.”

ZPC has also applied to construct a 100MW Insukamini Solar Photovoltaic Power Plant at Valindre Farm in Matobo District. “Construction of Insukamini solar Photovoltaic power plant will also involve the construction of two 1 kilometre 88(132kV) lines from the solar plant to the existing Insukamini 88kV substation, two 88(132kV) line bays at the new Insukamini solar plant site, two line bays at the existing Insukamini 88kV substation and substation ancillary equipment,” said ZERA.

The licence applications by ZPC for the two power plants were done in terms of the Electricity Act. — @PrinceNkosy102