Zimbabwe based ammonium nitrate fertilizer company Sable Chemical Industries Limited has sought licence approval from the Zimbabwe Energy Regulation Authority (ZERA) to deploy a 50 MW solar power plant in the African country and eventually scale it up to 400 MW.
It has entered into a partnership with local energy solutions company Katanga Solar Energy for the project to come up in Kwekwe, according to a report by NewsdzeZimbabwe. Land for the Katanga Solar Farm has been secured from Zibagwe Rural District Council and feasibility studies are complete.
Bothwell Nyajeka, Chief Executive of Sable Chemicals, said the project will be connected to the national grid and also help the company bring down its electricity bill which currently is a lot of money going to the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC).
This application from Sable Chemicals is one among the several that ZERA has been receiving of late.
In September 2017, media reported that Zimbabwe Power Company plans to develop 3 solar power projects of 100 MW each in Gwanda, Matobo and Munyati and sought permission from ZERA (see Zimbabwe Utility Plans 300 MW PV).
In April 2018, ZERA received an application from Southpole Consulting Private Limited for license for a 125 MW solar power plant (see 125 MW PV Project Plant For Zimbabwe).
Univergy International said in December 2018 that it will team up with RioEnergy of Zimbabwean mining company RioZim to develop and maintain 4 solar power plants of 45 MW each to power RioZim's mines in the country (see Zimbabwe Mining Firm To Purchase 180 MW Solar).