via Zimbabwe to turn to solar power – NewsDay Zimbabwe July 10, 2014 by Nqobani Ndlovu
ZIMBABWE is turning to solar energy for electricity generation to ease power outages in a $250 million project, Energy and Power Development minister Munacho Mutezo has said.
Mutezo told Senators in response to a question about when Zimbabwe would be free from power daily outages.
Mutezo said his ministry was finalising tenders for three solar units to generate 300 megawatts (MW) while a feasibility study on wind energy was currently being conducted.
“The ministry and indeed the government are working on medium-term to long-term projects,” Mutezo said.
“We are looking at projects where we will be able to generate power using solar. We are at the stage where we are finalising tenders for three units.”
Mutezo indicated that it would take close to two years to have the project running, generating 300MW, which would boost the national grid if it does not suffer a stillbirth like other previous projects.
“Each one [unit] will generate 100MW. Just to give you an idea of the size of these units in physical terms, the solar panels that we normally see — the ones to generate that kind of power — will need more than 200 hectares,” Mutezo said.
“The costs involved are also very high, in the region of
$230 million to $240 million per installation of 100MW. We hope once we finalise tenders, it should take us 12 to 18 months to have each one of those working and generating in the region of 100MW.
“It is very true that there is a feasibility study which is being carried out on how to generate wind energy using wind.
“As a ministry, we are aware of it and we are supporting it because worldwide, there is what we call friendly environmental energy which people are seeking for. The same applies to solar energy and also biodegradable which is garbage.”
Zimbabweans have been subjected to load shedding for years as power utility Zesa Holdings battles to raise sufficient capital to invest and build new power stations to generate enough electricity.
Economists have said this had affected industry as most companies cut their operating hours while the intermittent power cuts had also affected plant and machinery, some of which need constant power supplies.
COMMENTS
300 mil for a solar plant! These ZANU’s are even stupider than they look
You can say that again. Wind energy that will only work in August. You go to parliament to listen to this rubbish.
But the fuel is free……forever….you know how Zimbo’s hate paying for anything…..
yes time to go solar – electricity, candles and batteries far too expensive.
Solar is no use without batteries to provide power after dark.
Solar panels are getting cheaper. The batteries are the expensive part.
There isnt 230 million in the bank to pay for these schemes so its “pie in the sky” – sorry “pie in the sun”. Dark ages for zimbabwe in blackest africa. And well you still have to pay your bills and zimbabweans are well known to not pay their bills from not paying the 10billion back to international debt lenders to not paying electricity accounts at a domestic level. When are they going to learn Nothing in the world is free you have to work for it and stop the loans and asking for handouts.
And theyll be stealing the solar panels and cabling as fast as it get installed if the project reaches that far.
Power generation is only a small part of the problem. The real issue lies with distribution, and the costs associated with that are enourmous. A new government will have to be very focused and persistant in its endeavours to bring sustainability to our future enegy needs – but it can be done
But you will still have to use candles and paraffin in the evening……$230 million maybe China will lend it to them.
These units will be lighting up the chefs houses.