Renewable energy technologies are dominating the licensed solar power plants projects under construction in Zimbabwe, bringing hope to increased cleaner and sustainable power supplies in the southern African country by 2025.
According to the list of independent power producers (IPPs) released by the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority, seven solar power plants projects are at an advanced stage of construction and are expected to come on line by the end of this year.
The seven projects have a combined installed capacity of 66.6 megawatts (MW) while one coal-fired plant under construction is set to bring in 50 MW, ZERA said in a statement Wednesday.
Chief Executive Officer Edington Mazambani applauded the traction within the IPPs and in particular the renewable energy-oriented projects.
“We are happy with the pace of development, particularly among the renewable energy projects.
“The fact that we are expecting seven power plants to come on line by the end of this year is a clear signal that we do have robust regulations that protect the investor and the consumer as well,” said Mazambani.
ZERA licenses power projects that are above 100 kilowatts (KW).
To date, the energy regulator has 91 licensed power projects in its register.
The electricity license is valid for 30 years subject to meeting the periodic regulatory reviews.
Originally published at News ghana