Marondera will soon have its own solar farm as the Zimbabwe Electricity Regulatory Authority (ZERA) seeks to finalise the 150 megawatt project.
ZERA has given notice that it has received an application from De Green Rhino Energy (Pvt) Ltd to construct the solar farm, which means the first stages of approval (that is, permission by the Ministry of Lands and Land Resettlement) has been granted.
ZERA is now seeking objections or representations in terms of De Green Rhino Energy’s application before approval is completed.
“The application by De Green Rhino Energy (Pvt) Ltd has been done in terms of the provisions of Sections 40 of the Electricity Act (Chapter 13:19) of 2002.
“This notice is being issued in terms of provisions of sub-section 2(c) Section 65 of the Electricity Act (Chapter 13:19) of 2002 as read with sections 3 and 4 of Part II of Statutory Instrument 103 of 2008 (Electricity (Licensing ) Regulations 2008).
“Any person desiring to make representations on this application as advertised may within 14 days from the last day of this publication lodge a written representation with ZERA.
“Any objections or representations received after the 14-day period shall not be considered,” said the energy regulator.
The project, which will be completely owned and operated and maintained by De Green Rhino Energy, is expected to be implemented at a cost of $400 million.
This private project will feed 150MW onto the national grid.
ZESA is currently producing around 1 400MW, but prioritised support for the winter wheat crop. – Bh24.