A local independent power producer, Triangle Solar System (TSS) has received approval from ZERA to build a 90 megawatt solar installation in Chiredzi.
What is TSS?
Triangle Solar Systems is an independent power producer that got a licence from ZERA this May for the Chiredzi Plant. In October of last year they were one of four IPPs who made applications to ZERA for licences along with:
- Gombe Power Solutions – 100 MW Solar Photovoltaic Plant In Mashonaland West
- Tugwi Mukosi Hydro Power Company – 15MW Hydropower plant in Masvingo
- Kefalos Cheese products (Private) limited – 0,6MW power plant for own industrial consumption.
The power plant is going to cost US$88.1 Million and will be 12 Km west of TSS Headquarters. The investment includes, preparing the site, Infrastructure, a grid connection and civil works. The project is, according to Mr Chakaona, set to create 300 jobs.
“We expect to start construction in September or October of 2020 before the 2020/2021 rain season commences and completion is expected in the first half of 2021 if all goes well”
Paradzai Chakaona TSS Director.
TSS is going to roll out the project in 2 phases, both making 45 MW each.
“Based on an annual global irradiation of 1,760 Kw / h per m2, a solar photovoltaic system with a capacity of 45 MW should produce approximately 73,896 MWh of electricity annually, of which 66,500 MWh will be sold to the national grid.”
Paradzai Chakaona TSS Director
Zimbabwe’s power generating facilities have been in various stages of repair and disrepair. ZESA has had to import a significant amount of electricity from our neighbours. Hopefully with IPPs joining in we will become less reliant on imports. As of December 2019 ZERA on their website say there are the following projects in various stages of development:
| Technology | Number of Projects | Location | Installed Total Capacity (MW) | Operational |
| Solar | 40 | 2x Manicaland 11x Mash East 2 x Masvingo 1 x Mash Central 4 x Harare 6 x Midlands 2 x Mat North 5 x Mat South 1 x Bulawayo 6 x Mash West | 1180 MW | 5 |
| Coal Fired | 5 | 4x Mat North 1x Midlands | 5650 MW | – |
| Mini Hydros | 22 | 2 x Masvingo 20 x Manicaland | 97.02 MW | 9 |
| Bagasse (Co-Gen) | 3 | 1 x Manicaland 2 x Masvingo | 92.3 MW | 3 |
| Gas Fired | 1 | Manicaland | 345 MW | – |
| Diesel | 1 | Mashonaland East | 200 MW | – |
| Biomass | 1 | Manicaland | 0.5 MW | – |
| Solar/ Diesel | 1 | Matebeleland South | 2.25 MW | 1 |
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