Green Solar collaborates with Intratrek Zimbabwe for $350m solar project

UK-based solar energy company Green Solar Europa has collaborated with Intratrek Zimbabwe to build a $350m solar power plant in Zimbabwe.

The companies are currently seeking regulatory approvals for the 100MW photovoltaic power plant planned in Gwanda, Matabeleland South province. Proposal has been made to Ministry of Energy and Power Development.

The project proposal said that the initial 10MW module can be connected to the grid and would enable the power nearly six weeks after commencement of the construction phase.

"Further 10MW modules can be (gradually) connected to the grid every two to four weeks," it added.

Also, the developers have obtained all the equipments from Chinese market along with 25-year guarantee back-up service, reported The Herald.

The developers anticipate that the construction will be completed within nine to twelve months of commencement.

Commenting on the developments, Intratrek Zimbabwe owner Wicknell Chivayo claimed that he is not at liberty to discuss the project.

Chivayo, however, added: "All I can confirm is that we made a presentation to the relevant ministry and consultations are in progress. I will be in a position to give you more details later."

Meanwhile, the company is said to have secured the funds from African Import Export Bank over a 10-year period.

The investment is said to be in line with China Africa Sunlight Energy’s investment of $2bn investment in Gwayi towards coal mining, methane coal mining, methane coal bed gas extraction and power generation project.

By 2015, the company expects that the project will produce 400MW of power.

With this project, the company is looking to facilitate the country’s energy requirement of 2,200MW during peak periods, against its current capacity of 1,400MW.

To further the renewable energy sources, the federal government has recently granted construction contract to a Chinese company Sino Hydro to build an additional two units at Kariba hydropower station putting in $368m.