Women-led Guruve solar project generates 10.5MW, employs mostly locals

HARARE— A women-led independent power producer in Guruve is generating 10.5 megawatts of solar electricity while drawing 60% of its workforce from surrounding communities, according to a parliamentary report highlighting private investment in Zimbabwe’s renewable-energy sector.

The Senate’s Thematic Committee on Peace and Security cited Guruve Solar Park among projects demonstrating the potential for independent power producers to expand electricity generation while creating employment in host communities.

The committee said the 10.5MW project was women-led and had deliberately prioritised local employment.

“60% of the workforce is drawn from surrounding communities,” the committee reported.

The project forms part of a growing portfolio of privately and community-financed renewable-energy developments being pursued as Zimbabwe seeks to reduce its dependence on ageing thermal and hydroelectric infrastructure.

The committee also visited Centragrid in Nyabira, a locally financed solar project that began as a 2MW pilot in 2019 before expanding to 25MW in 2024.

Centragrid, which has been financed through domestic pension and investment funds, plans to expand its generation capacity to 115MW.

The committee also highlighted the Hakwata Green Village project in Chipinge, which combines a 120kW solar mini-grid with biogas and household solar systems.

The Hakwata project has trained 259 young people as part of efforts to build local technical capacity and create economic opportunities around renewable energy.

The committee said such projects showed that decentralised and private renewable-energy investments could complement electricity generated by Hwange Thermal Power Station and Kariba South Hydro Power Station.

However, it said independent power producers continued to face challenges including financing constraints, delays in regulatory approvals, weaknesses in transmission infrastructure and uncertainty around tariffs and power purchase agreements.

The committee called for a more predictable investment environment to enable independent producers to develop projects and sell electricity to the national grid.

It said greater private-sector participation would be critical if Zimbabwe was to diversify its energy mix, improve electricity security and progressively increase renewable generation.

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