Tanganda instals 3 solar plants

Zim Now Writer

In an effort to cut the company’s reliance on the national grid and costly diesel-powered generators, Tanganda Tea Company has completed the installation of three solar power plants with a combined capacity to generate 4,4 megawatts (MW).

This comes as several companies are turning to alternative energy sources given the outages characterising power from the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company.

Caledonia Mining’s Blanket Mine in Gwanda, Matabeleland South Province recently had its 12.2 MW solar plant commissioned by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Zimbabwe’s largest producer, packer and distributor of tea – Tanganda - relisted on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE) in February this year after a 14-year absence from the local bourse.

Tanganda relisted following its unbundling from Meikles Limited.

The firm has transformed itself over the years from a tea business to a diversified agricultural export business, making it an attractive investment with five estates — New Year’s Gift, Ratelshoek, Jersey, Zona, and Tingamira (formerly Avontuur/Petrunella).

Excess power from Tanganda’s solar plants will be sold to State power utility Zesa to feed into the national grid.

The major cause of the power deficit is limited production at Hwange Thermal Power Station, the country’s second-largest power plant, as a consequence of antiquated equipment which is prone to frequent breakdowns.

This has been worsened by the low water levels in Kariba Dam, which houses Zimbabwe’s biggest power station, forcing Zesa to drastically reduce generation to avoid depleting the giant lake.

The Zimbabwe Power Company has been directed to reduce generation until water levels improve by the Zambezi River Authority, which manages the dam.

“To this end three solar plants constructed at three of the five estates have reduced reliance on electrical power from the national grid and on diesel generated power thereby reducing carbon emissions.

“Further benefits from the investment are expected to be fully realised once full reticulation and net metering have been implemented in the coming financial year.

“Modern precision irrigation installed in the avocado and macadamia plantations ensures efficient usage and conservation of water,” said the company in a statement accompanying financial results for the year ended September 30, 2022.

Tanganda has invested in four key value chains namely: tea, macadamia nuts, avocados and coffee.

The firm believes that diversifying operations has yielded tangible benefits and will continue to be a focus in the coming years.

In the period under review, Tanganda revenue grew by 7,7 percent to $12,22 billion compared to $11,35 billion in the prior year.