President Mnangagwa is set to officiate a groundbreaking ceremony tomorrow for a new 720-megawatt thermal power station in Hwange, a project expected to significantly improve Zimbabwe’s energy self-sufficiency upon completion.
This project aligns with the country’s National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) and follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding and a Transmission Connection Agreement between Titan Power and Zesa Holdings during the recent Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Summit in Beijing, China.
Energy and Power Development Minister Edgar Moyo confirmed the groundbreaking ceremony will take place in Hwange as part of the Independent Power Producers (IPP) initiative, which focuses on coal-based power projects.
Minister Moyo explained that the thermal power plant will help address the ongoing power shortages in the country.
“The preparation for the Titan Power Phase 1 groundbreaking ceremony for the 720MW thermal power plant in Hwange is underway. The ceremony is set for Monday (tomorrow), with President Mnangagwa expected to officiate. The second phase will include a 200MW solar PV project, which is also part of the agreement between Zesa and Titan Power, signed at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit,” Minister Moyo stated.
Titan Power Pvt Ltd plans to build both a 720MW thermal power station in Hwange and a 200MW solar plant in Gweru. The construction will be phased, starting with the thermal power station, which will feature two 80MW plants, and the solar plant’s first phase will generate 50MW.
Sources familiar with the project revealed that Titan Power is committed to moving forward with the construction. They have already received equipment for the first phase of the thermal power plant, which is currently docked in China and ready for shipment to Zimbabwe.
ALSO READ: Zimbabwean Woman Saves Herself From Lion Attack with Courage and Strength
Additionally, the company has secured land for both the thermal and solar plants and has already stationed their EPC contractor at the Hwange site to begin construction. The necessary Generation Licence and Environmental Impact Assessment Certificate for the Hwange plant are also in place.
Meanwhile, Dinson Company has completed Phase 1 of a 50MW plant, which is already operational. They are now progressing to Phase 2, which involves the construction of a 20MW waste heat recovery system, set for completion in June 2025. Another 50MW will come online immediately after the waste heat recovery project.
These initiatives aim to address the growing energy demands due to increased industrial activity and the effects of climate change on hydroelectric power generation. The call for more Independent Power Producers (IPPs) to contribute to the national energy supply is also becoming louder, with solar energy projects being strongly encouraged.
