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PPC Zimbabwe to fast-track solar projects
16 Dec 2024 at 10:33hrs | Views
Pretoria Portland Cement (PPC) Zimbabwe has announced plans to accelerate the construction of two solar power plants with a combined capacity of 30 megawatts (MW) in Colleen Bawn and Bulawayo. The initiative is expected to address power challenges and enhance energy supply to its factories.
The country's largest cement producer, PPC Zimbabwe, operates two major facilities in Bulawayo and Harare, with a combined annual production capacity of 1.4 million tonnes. However, like many businesses, the company faces persistent power supply challenges.
Speaking at a recent press conference in Harare, PPC Zimbabwe managing director Mr. Albert Sigei revealed that while the company is actively engaging the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) for improved electricity supply, efforts are underway to develop the solar power plants.
"We continue to engage ZETDC to address the incessant power challenges. And we are also accelerating our 20MW and 10MW solar projects at Colleen Bawn and Bulawayo factory under a Power Purchase Agreement model," said Mr. Sigei.
The solar projects, which are anticipated to take 18 months to complete, are set to begin construction in the first quarter of 2025. These projects represent a significant step for PPC Zimbabwe in ensuring sustainable and reliable power supply to its facilities.
PPC Zimbabwe has been a key player in the country's infrastructure development, contributing to projects such as roads, housing, and dams. These efforts align with the Government's Vision 2030, which aims to transform Zimbabwe into an upper middle-income society. Infrastructure development is a cornerstone of this vision, underscored by the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS 1), a five-year economic blueprint that will soon transition into NDS 2.
"PPC Zimbabwe continues to play a pivotal role in the country as we pursue our mission of empowering people to experience a better quality of life while supporting the country in pursuit of Vision 2030 objectives," said Mr. Sigei.
He noted that PPC Zimbabwe supplies over 50 percent of the nation's cement requirements, including materials for significant infrastructure projects such as the Mbudzi Interchange and various dams and roads commissioned by the Government.
In its third quarter ending September 30, 2024, PPC Zimbabwe maintained robust market supplies, with stock cover exceeding 40 days for most of the period. This ensured uninterrupted product availability despite the annual maintenance carried out in September.
"This has been made possible through the dedicated input of our staff and business partners, to whom we are grateful," said Mr. Sigei.
Mr. Sigei also highlighted that local cement manufacturers have a combined installed capacity of over three million tonnes annually, surpassing the country's estimated annual demand of 1.8 million tonnes. Despite this capacity, the domestic market continues to face significant competition from imported cement.
"We estimate that the country will unnecessarily lose over US$50 million of scarce foreign exchange annually if firm action to curb the imports is not taken," warned Mr. Sigei.
With the solar power projects and its contributions to national infrastructure, PPC Zimbabwe remains committed to driving sustainable development and supporting the Government's economic and developmental aspirations.
The country's largest cement producer, PPC Zimbabwe, operates two major facilities in Bulawayo and Harare, with a combined annual production capacity of 1.4 million tonnes. However, like many businesses, the company faces persistent power supply challenges.
Speaking at a recent press conference in Harare, PPC Zimbabwe managing director Mr. Albert Sigei revealed that while the company is actively engaging the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) for improved electricity supply, efforts are underway to develop the solar power plants.
"We continue to engage ZETDC to address the incessant power challenges. And we are also accelerating our 20MW and 10MW solar projects at Colleen Bawn and Bulawayo factory under a Power Purchase Agreement model," said Mr. Sigei.
The solar projects, which are anticipated to take 18 months to complete, are set to begin construction in the first quarter of 2025. These projects represent a significant step for PPC Zimbabwe in ensuring sustainable and reliable power supply to its facilities.
PPC Zimbabwe has been a key player in the country's infrastructure development, contributing to projects such as roads, housing, and dams. These efforts align with the Government's Vision 2030, which aims to transform Zimbabwe into an upper middle-income society. Infrastructure development is a cornerstone of this vision, underscored by the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS 1), a five-year economic blueprint that will soon transition into NDS 2.
"PPC Zimbabwe continues to play a pivotal role in the country as we pursue our mission of empowering people to experience a better quality of life while supporting the country in pursuit of Vision 2030 objectives," said Mr. Sigei.
He noted that PPC Zimbabwe supplies over 50 percent of the nation's cement requirements, including materials for significant infrastructure projects such as the Mbudzi Interchange and various dams and roads commissioned by the Government.
In its third quarter ending September 30, 2024, PPC Zimbabwe maintained robust market supplies, with stock cover exceeding 40 days for most of the period. This ensured uninterrupted product availability despite the annual maintenance carried out in September.
"This has been made possible through the dedicated input of our staff and business partners, to whom we are grateful," said Mr. Sigei.
Mr. Sigei also highlighted that local cement manufacturers have a combined installed capacity of over three million tonnes annually, surpassing the country's estimated annual demand of 1.8 million tonnes. Despite this capacity, the domestic market continues to face significant competition from imported cement.
"We estimate that the country will unnecessarily lose over US$50 million of scarce foreign exchange annually if firm action to curb the imports is not taken," warned Mr. Sigei.
With the solar power projects and its contributions to national infrastructure, PPC Zimbabwe remains committed to driving sustainable development and supporting the Government's economic and developmental aspirations.
Source - the herald
