Govt Targets 1,800MW Battery Storage Facility to C...

Govt Targets 1,800MW Battery Storage Facility to Curb Load Shedding

Oscar J. Jeke

Zim Now Reporter

The government has announced plans to construct three large-scale battery storage facilities with a combined capacity of 1,800 megawatts to address chronic power shortages.

The initiative aims to stabilize the national grid and mitigate load shedding caused by limited power generation at major plants such as Hwange Power Station and the Kariba Hydroelectric Plant. The battery systems will store power during periods of low demand and release it back into the grid during peak hours, ensuring a more reliable electricity supply.

According to the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC), a subsidiary of ZESA Holdings, each facility will have a capacity of 600MW and will be situated at Munyati, Harare, and Insukamini power stations.

"The power will be used during peak hours and at night to supplement the current power generation," an official from ZETDC revealed.

The project has reportedly attracted bids from several international firms, predominantly from China. The proposed facilities will store electricity generated during off-peak hours and discharge it into the grid when demand surges.

Zimbabwe has grappled with recurring power outages due to a crippling El Niño-induced drought, which has lowered water levels at Lake Kariba and constrained the Kariba Hydroelectric Plant’s generation capacity. Frequent technical challenges at the Hwange Thermal Power Plant have further exacerbated the energy crisis.

Energy expert Engineer Tinashe Rushwaya underscored the transformative potential of battery storage technology. “Utility-scale battery storage has been successfully implemented in countries like Australia, the United States, and Germany. These systems provide grid stability, store excess renewable energy, and supply power during peak demand,” Rushwaya explained.

ZESA Holdings executive chairperson, Dr. Sydney Gata, highlighted the urgency of implementing the battery storage systems during a press conference in August 2024. He stated that the system would deliver 600MWh over three hours during morning and evening peaks, significantly reducing load shedding and supporting grid operations.

This initiative aligns with ZESA’s broader strategy of achieving 2,100MW of renewable energy capacity by 2030. The effort is complemented by ongoing solar and wind energy projects aimed at diversifying the country’s energy mix.