Equinox seeks clearance for 10MW solar plant

EQUINOX Energy (Private) Limited has approached the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera) for the construction of a 10 Megawatt solar plant in Mashonaland Province.

The energy regulatory authority revealed this in a notice published in the media this week. This follows a number of propositions made by independent players for the construction and maintenance of own power stations.

Last month, the authority received about four power project proposals from independent producers namely Gombe Power Solutions, Tugwi Mukosi Hydro Power Company, Kefalos Cheese products (Private) limited and RioZim. Cumulatively the stations are expected to produce about 2 566MW once completed.

If implemented, the country’s power deficit gap could be slashed significantly. Zimbabwe currently covers its power deficit with imports from Mozambique’s Hydro Cahora-Bassa and South Africa’s Eskom (350 Megawatts combined).

“Notice is hereby given that the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority has received an application from Equinox Energy Private limited to construct, own, operate and maintain the proposed 10 MW Makaha 30 solar project in Mudzi district, Mashonaland Province.

“The works will also entail connection of the proposed plant to the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) grid via a new 33kv feeder line from Makaha 30 solar plant to Kotwe 33kv substation,” read part of the statement.

Government has been working to reduce the country’s power import bill by embarking on new power generation projects that is ultimately intended to make Zimbabwe a net power exporter.

State power utility, Zesa Holdings Limited recently announced plans to tender the $4 billion Batoka hydro project which is also expected to contribute about 2 400MW, which is also said to be a major contributor to the national grid once completed.

Presently, the average maximum daily power demand is about 1 600 megawatts, against a backdrop of an average internal generation capacity of about 1 200 megawatts.