Nyashadzashe Ndoro- Chief Reporter
The potential for Chiredzi Town and its surrounding areas to benefit from electricity generated by the Hippo Valley and Triangle sugar milling companies depends on the future development of solar power plants, according to a recent parliamentary briefing.
Ropafadzo Makumire questioned the Minister of Energy and Power Development about government plans to extend the sugar mills' electricity generation to the local community.
Deputy Minister Yeukai Simbanegavi clarified the current energy production and consumption at the estates.
The sugar mills utilize bio-gas generators during the sugarcane milling season, from April to November. Triangle produces 25 megawatts (MW), which is 5 MW short of its internal demand of 30 MW. Hippo Valley generates 15 MW, meeting its own 15 MW needs. During the off-season (December to March), both estates rely on the national grid provided by ZESA.
Crucially, the Deputy Minister revealed that both Triangle and Hippo Valley have advanced plans to develop solar power plants. Any surplus electricity to supply Chiredzi Town and surrounding areas will depend on the successful implementation of these solar initiatives.
"As such, these plants to provide power supplies to Chiredzi Town and the surrounding areas will be crafted and implemented as surplus power becomes available from both Triangle and Hippo Valley Estate generators," Simbanegavi stated.
"It means the Hippo Valley community can only benefit once the solar plants have been implemented."
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