- Vungu Solar’s 30MWac project becomes a pilot for Zimbabwe’s Government Project Support Agreement solar IPP programme.
- The project is expected to supply electricity to 76,000 homes while attracting international investment.
- PIDG, Energywise, and Impala lead development, supported by the African Legal Support Facility.
Vungu Solar Pvt Ltd has signed a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement with the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company, marking a major milestone for the country’s renewable energy sector. The 30MWac solar project will serve as the pilot for the Government of Zimbabwe’s Government Project Support Agreement solar IPP programme and is set to be among the first internationally project-financed solar independent power producers selling electricity to ZETDC.
The project is being developed by the Private Infrastructure Development Group through its project development solution, InfraCo, in partnership with project founder Energywise Equipment Pvt Ltd and Impala Power Company Ltd.
At the signing ceremony, British Ambassador to Zimbabwe Pete Vowles highlighted the broader significance of the agreement. “The Vungu Solar project will provide enough power for 76,000 homes. By establishing a pricing structure, it sets a model for other investors to enter Zimbabwe’s renewable energy market, creating jobs and promoting a greener future,” he said.
Energywise CEO Culven Chipfumbu added, “The signing of the PPA is a key milestone for Vungu Solar. We are committed to securing financing urgently so that construction can begin as soon as possible, with the support of ZETDC, ZERA, PIDG, and Impala.”
Negotiations for the project were supported by the African Legal Support Facility and involved a cross-government team led by the Ministry of Energy and Power Development. The PPA aligns with the Government Project Support Agreement, a policy instrument designed to de-risk independent power producer investments through guarantees, cost-reflective tariffs, and currency convertibility provisions. The GPSA framework was first announced at last year’s African Energy Forum in Cape Town.
Vungu Solar’s agreement marks a significant step in Zimbabwe’s efforts to attract international financing for renewable energy projects while expanding the country’s clean energy capacity.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
