- Zimbabwe IPP, Ravensus, has been given a licence by the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) to construct a 50MW solar power plant at the Kranspoort farm in Shangani.
ZERA issued a notice granting the generation license to RAVENSUS Pvt Ltd, allowing them to own, operate, and maintain the 50MW solar photovoltaic power plant for the purpose of electricity generation and supply.
In December last year, Zimbabwe’s Finance Minister, Mthuli Ncube, announced incentives to attract 1000MW (about US$1 billion) from independent power producers (IPP’s). After decades without any new build capacity plus a gradual deterioration of power plants and transmission infrastructure due to poor maintenance, management and corruption, Zimbabwe today finds itself in a desperate energy crisis. Its citizens face up to 19 hours of blackouts daily as Kariba hydro dam dries up along with foreign currency to buy power from its neighbours. Read more
Zimbabwe’s 2023 National Budget statement revealed that ZERA has licensed over 60 IPPs in the renewable energy sector, with a combined capacity of generating 2000MW. With the country bankrupt and no sovereign debt cover provided by government for renewable energy projects, IPP’s have stayed well away from developing solar projects in Zimbabwe.
Related news: Zimbabwe’s energy supply hits rock bottom as Kariba and foreign currency dry up
Zambia and Mozambique recently cut off electricity supplies to Zimbabwe over their failure to pay for imports. Read more
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
