US Firm Proposes 900 MW Zimbabwe Solar Farm

• US based business group Labacorp Power is interested in developing a 900 MW grid connected solar power plant in Zimbabwe
• Craft Properties, the local partner for Labacorp in Zimbabwe, plans to make a presentation to the government on the proposed project in July 2019
• Local media reports there are 3 IPPs seeking license from ZERA to set up 100 MW solar power capacity in, in the form of 1 MW rooftop solar project, and 2 projects with 65 MW and 33 MW capacity
• So far, very little PV has been installed in Zimbabwe

If the plans proposed by a United States based business group Labacorp Power Company America are approved, Zimbabwe may well be looking at hosting a massive 900 MW solar power plant which would be connected to the grid on completion. Through its local partner Craft Properties (Pvt) Ltd., Labacorp has proposed the project to the Government of Zimbabwe, reported The Herald, a local Zimbabwean newspaper.

Referring to a statement issued by Craft Properties, media reports suggest the company will be making a presentation to the government on the proposed project in July 2019 explaining how Labacorp and Craft Properties intend to implement the mega solar project. The 2 partners entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in November 2018.

Based out of Texas, US, Labacorp Power Company defines itself as an independent power producer and renewable energy development company active in Africa with solar as its focus industry.

Project development on the 900 MW project would commence soon after the government approves it, however media reports do not specify where the project will come up and if it will be developed in phases.

In a related news reported by the same paper, 3 independent power producers have applied for licenses to the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) to establish some 100 MW of solar power plant capacity.

This comprises 1 MW rooftop solar PV project by Schweppes Zimbabwe Limited which the company plans to put up at its premises in Harare for self-consumption, 65 MW project by Lumigar Solar (Private) Limited at Cactus Hill Farm in Chegutu, and 33 MW plant by Zhenje Solar Park (Private) Limited at Makokoro in Seke district. Last 2 projects will be connected to the national grid.

Earlier this year in January 2019, local media reported Zimbabwean fertilizer company Sable Chemicals signed an agreement with Katanga Solar Energy to develop up to 400 MW solar power capacity in Kwekwe (see 400 MW PV Plant Plans In Zimbabwe).

However, so far, very little PV has been installed in Zimbabwe. In 2018, which was the best solar year so far, it was 11 MW new PV, according to IRENA.