Staff Reporter
KWEKWE — President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Friday commissioned the new Glovers 10MW solar plant in Kwekwe, as Zimbabwe increases investment in renewable energy to reduce power shortages and tackle climate change.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Mnangagwa said energy was important for economic growth and national development.
He said Zimbabwe has abundant sunshine and should take advantage of solar energy to improve its electricity supply and attract investment.
“The sun is our silent partner,” Mnangagwa said.
He said reliable and affordable energy boosts productivity, creates jobs, and improves the quality of life for citizens.
Mnangagwa urged companies, communities, and institutions to invest in renewable energy projects that support national development.
He described the project as historic because it is among the first to be developed under the Government Project Support Agreement framework, which is meant to attract investment into renewable energy and infrastructure projects.
The framework guarantees cost-reflective tariffs, power uptake, and the repatriation of dividends to investors.
Mnangagwa said the project showed the important role played by the private sector in supporting government efforts to modernise the economy.
The Glovers Solar project, which is in partnership with the Public Service Commission (PSC) has plans to extend the project to 100MW
Acting chairperson of New Glovers Solar Company, Ainos Ngadya, said the project would soon move into its next phase.
“This is a phased project moving towards almost 20 megawatts. It is clean in terms of carbon emissions,” Ngadya said.
Public Service Commission chairperson Vincent Hungwe called on more investors to partner in projects that support economic growth while securing pension investments.
“We extend an open invitation to like-minded investors to collaborate with us in scaling impactful investments that secure pensions while building the productive capacity of our nation,” Hungwe
