Omanghana
Zimbabwe’s approval of a $650 million solar development at Lake Kariba has renewed scrutiny of the country’s record on energy projects, particularly the long-delayed Gwanda plant linked to the late businessman Wicknell Chivayo.
The proposed 600-megawatt development is intended to strengthen electricity supply and complement hydropower generation at Kariba. Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Minister Dr Anxious Masuka outlined the initiative during a post-Cabinet briefing, saying it would help conserve reservoir water by supplying solar electricity during daylight hours.
GreenGrid Energy Private Limited, formerly Sunspire, will develop the project, while the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company will purchase its electricity. Officials estimate that the completed development could supply power to about three million people and create 1,000 direct jobs.
Although government announcements describe a floating solar installation, GreenGrid’s project information indicates that construction will initially concentrate on land-based facilities near Kariba Town. Expansion onto the lake remains a possible later phase.
The developer says combining solar generation with the existing hydroelectric station would allow water to be preserved for early morning and evening demand, when solar production is unavailable. This approach is also intended to improve the system’s resilience during periods of drought.
The announcement has brought renewed attention to the uncompleted 100-megawatt Gwanda Solar Project. Awarded to Chivayo’s Intratrek Zimbabwe in 2015, the project received a $5 million advance from the Zimbabwe Power Company in April 2016 but has yet to deliver the electricity originally promised.
Chivayo died in a helicopter crash on September 30, 2026. President Emmerson Mnangagwa confirmed his death the following day, while reports also identified the businessman’s wife among those killed.
For the Kariba development, authorities say power purchase and transmission connection agreements were signed in 2025, with technical and regulatory preparations completed in July 2026. Engineering and resource mobilisation are continuing ahead of implementation.
Despite the reported progress, no firm completion date was provided in the latest announcement. The stalled Gwanda project remains a backdrop to questions about whether Zimbabwe’s latest major solar investment will translate into reliable electricity supply.
Source: Omanghana
