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Leonard Ncube in Hwange

THE groundbreaking ceremony for the new 720MW thermal power plant in Hwange District today is a huge milestone for Matabeleland North province and Zimbabwe at large as President Mnangagwa’s administration lures more investment in the energy sector to accelerate the growing economy momentum in line with Vision 2030.

He will lead the groundbreaking ceremony for the multi-million dollar project this morning, paving the way for its implementation by Titan Energy (Private) Limited in partnership with power utility, Zesa Holdings.

Coming at a time when the country is battling reduced power generation capacity, which has been heavily strained by drought, especially Kariba Hydro-Power Station, the coming in of new energy players is expected to boost the supply side and ease the burden on the power utility.

The proposed investment is also a positive outcome of the country’s value-addition and beneficiation policy as the project proprietors will use waste coal from the mines to produce captive energy that will help balance growing demand by productive sectors.

Matabeleland North continued to lead in attractive high value energy investments and today’s groundbreaking will be historic, adding impetus on the already rolling massive development projects in the province, which is home to massive coal deposits, tourism, mining and farming resources.

The groundbreaking event by President Mnangagwa will also will signal commencement of construction of the mega power project that is expected to start feeding the grid by end of next year.

President Mnangagwa

Titan Energy aims to generate 720MW, to start with a 160MW Phase 1 and an additional 200MW solar plant, which will be Phase 2 of their projects in Zimbabwe.

The private investor and Zesa have partnered for the implementation of the 720MW project, which is one of the mega-deals struck by President Mnangagwa during his visit to China for the China-Africa Co-operation Summit held in Beijing.

In an interview at the project site in Hwange at Tutu Ingagula along Chaba Black Road yesterday, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Energy and Power Development, Dr Gloria Magombo, said the project will provide continuous base power 24/7 thereby easing pressure on Zesa and making electricity available to users.

“Preparations are going very well and tomorrow we are going to have President Mnangagwa coming here to do groundbreaking for the 720MW of coal fired plant,” she said.

“The plant is going to be using waste coal from the mines, what we refer to as thermal coal and is going to be done in phases coming in with 160MW Phases 1 and other phases coming thereafter. At least by the end of next year we expect the first 100MW to be there.

“This plant is very important because we need base and it will provide part of the base load but most importantly these plants are done by developers who also consume part of the energy so they are done as captive plants and what they do is to relieve pressure off Zesa for them to then have enough power to supply other users.”

While high quality coal is used to make coke or value-added and exported, Dr Magombo said others can be used for steam production.
“This is waste product, which is value added to energy and the plant will provide continuous base energy,” she said.

Dr Magombo said the coming in of such plants helps the developers to access energy without disturbing the main grid. She said Government, with private sector partnership, was improving the energy mix through investments into renewable energy.

She hinted that there about 10 projects coming up next year to do captive plants whose representatives will also attend today’s groundbreaking ceremony as they are working closely with Zesa to make sure there is connectivity.

“We want to thank Zesa for making this possible and working with various developers and President Mnangagwa for his vision to work with the private sector.

“This is part of Government’s plan to enable an environment for investment,” said Dr Magombo.

Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister, Cde Richard Moyo, said all systems were set for today’s event.

The road to the site has been cleared and dust suppression was done yesterday to handle high vehicular traffic. Signage to the venue had also been prepared to direct people to the venue while workmen were busy making final touches to the tents.

Local businesses and informal traders are also realising big business with lodges and accommodation facilities recording lucrative bookings from delegates to attend the groundbreaking ceremony.

Cde Richard Moyo

Commenting, Zanu-PF coordinator for Hwange Cde Patrick Utete, who was at the venue said 20 buses had been dispatched to carry people from across Hwange District to witness the occasion.

He said the buses are expected to start arriving in Hwange at 6am. Since coming to power in 2017, the Second Republic, under the leadership of President Mnangagwa, has, despite illegal sanctions, made tremendous economic progress across all sectors using locally available resources, in line with National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) and Vision 2030, as well as through partnerships.

Matabeleland North is the biggest beneficiary of the Second Republic’s development agenda, boasting massive projects such as the US$1,5 billion Hwange Thermal Power Station Units 7 and 8 expansion, Muchesu Coal Mine in Binga District, the US$7,3 million SolGas Energy 5-megawatt (MW) solar power plant at Cross Mabale in Hwange District and several other projects, many of which have partnered with Zimbabwe Power Company and Hwange Colliery Company Limited.

Investors continue to show interest in financing projects in the province, where more than a dozen coal mining and processing firms have been established, alongside power generation plants.

Other major projects include Lake Gwayi-Shangani in Hwange District, the expansion of Victoria Falls International Airport, Bubi-Lupane Irrigation in Lupane District, which was launched in October 2021 by President Mnangagwa.

The Government is also working on rehabilitating the Bhulaayo Kraal Irrigation Scheme (formerly Bulawayo Kraal Irrigation Scheme), including the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Highway, a 25MW solar plant in Victoria Falls, as well as an international cricket stadium in Masuwe, in the resort city.

The Lupane Provincial Hospital and Welshman Mabhena Government Complex in Lupane are also among the projects.

In the education sector, the Government has opened Hwange Teachers’ College and Binga Polytechnic, and has also given the green light for the construction of a vocational training centre and the establishment of a nursing school at Binga Hospital.

Additionally, a United Nations School of Tourism is also in the pipeline for Victoria Falls, where significant growth has been registered, especially in lodges, hotels, and restaurants, with investments reaching US$300 million last year. — @ncubeleon