Zimbabwe’s Marondera Solar Power Project Receives UK Investment. Harare, Zimbabwe — The proposed 150 MegaWatt (MW) Marondera solar power project in Zimbabwe is set to advance following a significant partnership with a United Kingdom-based energy company, Green Power. Local firm De-Green Rhino Energy has inked a deal with Green Power, which will invest US$160 million into the project.
The facility is expected to connect to the national grid, with the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution (ZETDC) acting as the off-taker. This partnership aims to bolster the region’s energy supply, create employment opportunities, and contribute to infrastructure development in the local community. Jordan Assassa, the CEO of Green Power, expressed excitement about the venture, emphasizing the project’s potential to bring green energy to schools and hospitals in Marondera and beyond.
Construction of the solar plant is anticipated to begin in the first quarter of the upcoming year, with the goal of completing the project by 2027.
The investment, according to Assassa, is a testament to Zimbabwe’s attractiveness to investors under its current leadership. Francis Gogwe, director of De-Green Rhino Energy, also highlighted the positive impact of the project on Mashonaland East province’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), noting the creation of hundreds of jobs, particularly during the construction phase.
The Zimbabwean government has shown its commitment to renewable energy by launching the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS-2), which aims for universal access to reliable, affordable, sustainable, and clean energy by 2030. This includes promoting the use of renewable energy resources and facilitating private sector participation in power generation.
The government’s commitment to ensuring the sustainability of Independent Power Producers (IPPs) and supporting cost-reflective tariff structures is expected to bolster investor confidence and strengthen national energy security.
Further details are expected as the project progresses.
