eBusiness Weekly
George Maponga
MASVINGO – Two private companies have formally applied to the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) for a licence to build two power generation plants at Tugwi-Mukosi Dam in Chivi and Nuanetsi Ranch in Chiredzi in a development expected to make Masvingo a major power producer in the country.
Triangle Solar System (Private) Limited wants to build a 45 Mega-watt solar systems power plant at Nuanetsi A.
At Tugwi-Mukosi, Tokwe-Murkosi Hydro Power Company (Private) Limited wants the nod to construct a 15 Mega-watt hydro power plant.
Preliminary estimates had earlier indicated that the Tugwi-Mukosi power plant would gobble $20 million.
According to notices from ZERA flighted in the local press, Tokwe-Murkosi Hydro Power Company and Triangle Solar System want to feed the power they will produce into the national grid.
”Notice is hereby given that the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority gas received an application from Triangle Solar
System (Private) Limited to construct, own, operate and maintain the proposed 45MW Triangle Solar Systems Power Plant(solar PV) at Nuanetsi Ranch A, Chiredzi District in Masvingo Province.”
”The works will also entail the construction of a 0,5 km 132kV single Wolf line from the proposed solar plant to the existing Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company(ZETDC) Triangle 132kV substation and installation of related equipment,”read the notice.
At Tugwi-Mukosi, ZERA said the investor wanted to construct a hydro-power plant at the confluence of Tokwe (Tugwi) and Mukosi rivers
”The works will also entail connection of the proposed plant to the ZETDC grid via a new 33kV feeder from Tokwe Substation to Triangle 132/33kV Substation,” the notice read.
ZERA said those who might have objections or representations on the licence application to lodge their representations in writing within
14 days.
If the two projects are approved by ZERA, it will bring to three the number of prospective licenced power producers in Masvingo province.
ZERA has already licenced Great Zimbabwe Hydro Power Company to build and operate a 5MW power plant at Lake Mutirikwi.
The project was originally expected to cost $14 million with the firm having already received the nod from Masvingo Rural District Council to start work on the project.
