Staff Writer
The commissioning of the first 10 megawatts (MW) phase of the Glovers Solar Plant in Munyati marks a significant boost to Zimbabwe’s electricity supply, with the Public Service Commission (PSC)-backed project expected to ease pressure on the national grid and reduce dependence on costly power imports.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa commissioned the US$9,5 million first phase last Friday, describing the project as a key pillar in the country’s efforts to diversify its energy mix and strengthen economic resilience.
The solar plant forms part of a wider US$90 million renewable energy investment projected to generate 110MW once fully completed, making it one of Zimbabwe’s major private-sector-backed solar developments.
The initial phase comprises 18 600 solar panels, 31 inverters, two smart transformers and a six-kilometre transmission line connected to the national grid. The facility is expected to generate about 20 gigawatt hours of electricity annually, supplying power to industries and other productive sectors.
The project is financed largely through the PSC’s State Service Pension Fund, which holds a 51 percent stake, highlighting the growing role of pension-backed infrastructure investments in addressing Zimbabwe’s energy shortages.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, President Mnangagwa said the project would play a crucial role in improving power availability while supporting industrialisation and agricultural productivity.
“This initiative is part of ongoing efforts to diversify the national energy mix and build resilience against climate change and associated energy challenges,” he said.
“Projects of this nature are critical for modernisation, industrialisation, increased agricultural productivity, and the development of rural industrial systems.”
PSC chairman Dr Vincent Hungwe said the pension fund was prioritising investments in infrastructure projects capable of generating sustainable long-term returns while supporting national economic growth.
“By investing in bankable projects that are already feeding power into the national grid, the fund is strengthening energy security and supporting economic productivity across sectors, while delivering sustainable value to beneficiaries,” said Hungwe.
He said the fund was also undertaking a comprehensive actuarial review to ensure investments remain commercially viable and sustainable, while encouraging more investors to participate in infrastructure development projects.
The Glovers Solar Plant is among the first projects developed under the Government Project Support Agreement framework, which seeks to attract investment into the energy sector through cost-reflective tariffs, guaranteed power purchase arrangements and offshore dividend repatriation provisions.
