US$1 Billion Floating Solar Farm Proposed on Lake Kariba Zimbabwe!
China Energy Engineering Group has tabled a proposal to build a 1 000 megawatt floating solar farm on Lake Kariba at an estimated cost of nearly US$1 billion. Upon approval and implementation, the project will significantly boost Zimbabwe’s power generation capacity and help end prolonged load-shedding cycles, which domestic and industrial consumers have been enduring in the past couple of months. Ivan Zhakata and Tsitsi Tasaranarwo According to an official report prepared by China Energy for the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (Zesa) and potential private equity funders, more than 1,8 million photovoltaic panels installed over 146 modular floating units will be used for the project on Lake Kariba if it goes ahead. The civil engineering works would cost US$186 million and the installation US$801 million according to China Energy. ZESA Holdings’ general manager Stakeholder Relations, Communications and Welfare, Dr George Manyaya, said: “We will issue a statement after all consulta