Wicknell Chivhayo’s Intratrek set to revive Gwanda...

Wicknell Chivhayo’s Intratrek set to revive Gwanda Solar Project

Zim Now Writer

The Gwanda Solar project contracted to Wicknell Chivhayo’s Intratrek Zimbabwe is set to restart after years of legal battles between the contractor and the Zimbabwe Power Company.

Development at the 100MW project had been at a standstill ever since the start of legal proceedings with ZPC alleging non-performance and delay in works by the Chivayo owned company, with recent developments seeing the project back on track.

In a statement during a parliamentary portfolio committee on Mines and Energy hearing, ZPC Acting Managing director, Norbert Matarutse said that they have revived talks to set the stalled project on track.

“The Supreme Court made a judgment that we need to go back to the contract that we signed with Intratrek in 2015 which is what we are doing. We seek to make sure that we abide by the ruling of the Supreme Court,” Matarautse said.

ZPC’s lawyer, Tungamirai Chinengo also added that there were discussions on the resumption of the project, while denying misinformation that the company paid US$22 million for damages.

“The parties are currently engaging each other intending to resume works at the Gwanda Solar Project.

“However I want to clarify a position which has been misinterpreted about the US$22 million damages. The issue of damages has never been ordered by any court in respect of this. The High Court and Supreme Court never ordered anything in respect of damages to Intratrek,” Chinhengo said.

The power company also said that it seeks to review the contract price due to a significant reduction in global solar pricing, adding that the contract of 2015 needs adjusting to suit the present times.