- Cicada Solar has commissioned a 2.7MW Solar PV installation at National Foods Aspindale plant in Harare. National Foods is the largest food producer in Zimbabwe.
Natfoods recently commissioning its new Pasta, Biscuit, and Cereal production lines. The newly established facilities, which cost $22.7 million, form part of a larger $50 million capital investment strategy implemented over the past five years.
Zimbabwe is plagued by daily power outages of up to 10 hours forcing commercial and industrial business operators to rely on costly diesel generator backup power. Read more
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The new rooftop solar PV system is expected to reduce Natfoods’ reliance on state supplied grid power by 30% and offset costs of diesel generated power significantly. Another installation is planned for the Stirling Road facility in 2026, as part of the company’s goal to cut the group’s reliance on ZESA by 35%.
“Our burden on the national grid and reliance on back-up diesel generator systems will be reduced,” said Natfoods in the statement.
Natpak rooftop installation. Image credit: Cicada Africa
Cicada Solar also recently announced the commissioning of a 528kWp Solar PV installation at NatPak Flexibles in Harare. NatPak is a packaging solutions provider based in Zimbabwe. This solar plant is the first of several that Cicada Solar has been contracted to install for NatPak facilities. Cicada Solar has also financed and will operate and maintain the solar plant.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
