Zimpapers Logo

Harare Bureau
ZTE Corporation of China has plans to set up a solar equipment manufacturing plant after sealing a multi-million dollar solar energy deal with the Zimbabwe Power Company last month. The Chinese company inked the country’s first major national solar project with ZPC and Intratrek Zimbabwe for the construction of a 100 megawatt Gwanda power plant in a $146 million deal.

ZTE corporate account manager Tariro Lee said the setting up of a solar manufacturing factory is high on the agenda as the company aims to consolidate its market presence in Zimbabwe.

“ZTE has immense experience in solar projects as we’ve managed to do many notable jobs across the world. We’ve the ability to deliver in solar projects, not only on implementation but also on the manufacturing side. We’re confident that we’ll complete the construction of the 100MW solar plant and then a factory will follow.

“We’ve already recorded success in setting up a solar equipment factory in the Democratic Republic of Congo and each year they make solar panels and supply them to the market. However, it’s our willingness to transfer technology to Zimbabwe,” said Lee.

She said the Zimbabwean market has been of the opinion that ZTE Corporation is only a telecommunications equipment supplier but the company has other operations, which involves solar power generation and manufacturing.

Lee said the solar manufacturing plant will provide export opportunities to countries like Tanzania, Zambia and Mozambique who have already started venturing into solar energy development.

On the Gwanda solar plant, Lee said the project is on course and will be completed within 18 months.

“The project value excluding all taxes and duties is $146 million and the implementation dates as per the plan is 547 calendar days (that’s within 18 months).This comprises all duties and other statutory payments,” she said.

According to the deal, ZTE and Intratrek will build the 100MW solar power plant, as part of ZPCs initiatives to resolve the country’s power deficit by tapping into solar energy.

Apart from solar operations, Lee said ZTE has the most complete telecommunications product line in the world, covering every vertical sector of wireless networks, core networks, access and bearer networks, services and terminals markets.

She said with its independent and creative research and development capability ZTE is capable of developing market leading technologies in wireless, switching, access, optical transmission, data, handsets and telecommunications software.