- ZERA, the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority has approved a 25-year generation licence to Parvalue Energy Limited who will construct a 50MW Solar PV plant
- The project will be located in the Westgate of Bulawayo.
The regulator confirmed the issuing of the licence in a public notice and said that the plant would be established at Donnington West Plant for purposes of generation and supply of electricity. “The generation licence is hereby granted to Parvalue Energy Limited; to own, operate and maintain the 50MW solar photovoltaic power plant called Donnington West Power plant at stand 3039, Donnington West, Westgate Suburb in Bulawayo,” said Zera.
Significantly, the statement from Zera also communicated that Parvalue Energy Limited was now allowed to supply electricity to any transmission, distribution or supply licensee who purchases electricity for resale and, with the approval of the Authority, to any one or more consumers. It is unknown who the expected off-takers will be.
Related news: Controversial Gwanda Solar Project revived. Read more
Zimbabwe’s energy sector is in a dire state. The Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission & Distribution Company (ZETDC) implemented a wide scale load shedding programme in May 2019 plunging the country into darkness. The country has been forced to cut power generation at their Kariba Dam power plant due to low water levels. The dam, on the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia, is only 34% full and cannot generate electricity at optimal capacity. The utility is also facing generation constraints at Hwange Power Station
South Africa’s state owned energy utility, Eskom, recently resumes supply of 450MW to Zimbabwe after a payment agreement had been reached. Read more
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
