BCC, Williams Engineering solar farm project gets ...

BCC, Williams Engineering solar farm project gets govt nod

Zim Now Writer

Government has approved Bulawayo City Council (BCC)’s 50-megawatt solar farm joint venture with Williams Engineering at Ncema Dam in Esigodini.

The project, which is expected to create 200 jobs during construction and 40 jobs during its operation while also providing dedicated power to Bulawayo industries in the designated Special Economic Zones, will give BCC an alternative revenue source.

Electricity generated from the project will power Bulawayo’s water pumping stations and other critical BCC installations, thereby reducing the local authority’s power bill.

Addressing a post-Cabinet briefing in Harare yesterday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said: “Cabinet considered and approved the Partnership between Bulawayo City Council and Williams Engineering which will establish a 50 mega-watt photovoltaic (solar) power plant at Ncema Dam. The plant will provide dedicated power to Bulawayo industries in the designated Special Economic Zones and will provide an alternative revenue stream for Bulawayo City Council.”

The country is presently facing acute power challenges that have resulted in people going close to 20 hours without power daily.

Over 100 independent power producers intending to generate clean energy such as gas, solar and hydro-electricity have been licenced by the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera).

However, only a few of these projects are operating despite the obtaining power challenges in the country.