Cabinet approves 600MW Lake Kariba floating Photov...

Cabinet approves 600MW Lake Kariba floating Photovoltaic power plant

150MW Phase 1 to be commissioned in 2025

Oscar J Jeke

Zim Now Reporter

The 600MW floating photovoltaic power plant on Lake Kariba is expected boost the national by end of next year after the project got cabinet approval.

“Cabinet wishes to advise that a Grid Impact Assessment led to the approval of a 600MW floating solar photovoltaic power plant on Lake Kariba based on consideration for grid stability and the risk of concentration of generation at one power station location. …. The power generation licence for the energy company is being processed,” said Information Minister Jenfan Muswere in his post cabinet briefing.

The minister said the development will be in phases with the first 150MW capacity commissioned in 2025, while Phase 2 of 300MW and Phase 3 of 150MW are earmarked to be commissioned by 2026 and 2027 respectively.

Government is working on reducing the power deficit resulting in an import bill of over US$12 million per month.

Muswere said the country is currently importing up to 500MW daily.

The company has a power deficit of around 600MW per day and demand is on the increase as production across mining, agriculture and industry ramps up.

The predicted national consumption demand of 2025 is 5000MW against the current production capacity of less than 2500MW.

Muswere said the initial proposal of 800MW has been reduced after feasibility studies completed in February 2024 highlighted some risks and grid stability issues.

He added that the company will invest US$600 to US$850 million and has a 25-year operating lease.