Gwanda solar project revived

THE long-delayed 100-megawatt Gwanda Solar Project is back on track after developer Intratrek Zimbabwe received a formal Notice to Proceed from Government, paving the way for construction of the power plant to resume.

Government has directed Intratrek to complete the project within 24 months, with site works expected to commence once the Advance Mobilisation Payment is released.

The development follows the signing of a restated Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract on March 27, 2025, between Government, through the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC), and Intratrek Zimbabwe.

Intratrek's technical EPC partner is CHiNT Electric Co. Ltd, a Shanghai-headquartered global solar and electrical equipment manufacturer.

The revival of the project comes at a critical time for Zimbabwe, which continues to grapple with electricity shortages that have constrained economic activity and increased reliance on costly power imports.

Zimbabwe has an installed generation capacity of between 2 600MW and 2 962MW, but average generation frequently falls to between 1 400MW and 1 600MW against peak demand estimated at between 2 000MW and 4 000MW.

Once completed, the Gwanda plant is expected to inject additional renewable energy into the national grid, supporting key productive sectors such as mining and agriculture while helping diversify the country's energy mix beyond hydroelectric power.

The project was initially awarded to Intratrek in late 2014 after the company emerged as the lowest compliant bidder, with the original EPC contract valued at US$172 million.

Other bidders included ZTE Corporation, Number 17 Metallurgical China, China Jiangxi International Corporation and Afriven Investments.

As global solar construction costs declined, ZPC and Intratrek subsequently agreed to reduce the EPC cost to US$132 million.

However, implementation stalled amid challenges associated with Zimbabwe's sovereign debt to China and prolonged litigation over delays in executing the project.

In April 2018, ZPC terminated the EPC contract, arguing that delays and breaches of agreed timelines justified cancellation despite having made an advance payment.

Intratrek challenged the decision at the High Court, which ruled on January 11, 2023 that the contract remained valid and enforceable.

ZPC appealed the decision, but the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal on December 1, 2023, confirming the validity of Intratrek's contract for the project.

The ruling paved the way for specific performance and ultimately facilitated the reinstatement of the EPC agreement.

In its Notice to Proceed, ZPC formally authorised Intratrek to commence full implementation and take immediate occupation of the project site.

"Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8.1 of the EPC contract, this letter serves as the formal Notice to Proceed with the full implementation of the contract," ZPC said.

"The project duration shall be 24 months, in line with the agreed Programme of Works. You are required to mobilise to the site and commence activities without delay."

Government will closely monitor implementation, with Intratrek required to provide periodic progress reports to the Office of the President and Cabinet, the employer's representative and Government.

The authorities said the monitoring process would ensure compliance with contractual obligations, project milestones and implementation timelines.

"The Government of Zimbabwe expresses its keen anticipation for the successful execution of this national project, which is instrumental in achieving electricity self-sufficiency and enhancing energy security," Government said.

Intratrek principal Wicknell Chivayo had previously pledged to complete the project, describing it as strategically important to Zimbabwe and undertaking to personally fund its development without Government financial support.

Responding to the Notice to Proceed, Intratrek executive chairman Wilson Manatse said the company had immediately begun preparations to mobilise its teams and equipment to site.

"The Notice to Proceed represents a critical project milestone as it signals the formal commencement of execution of the works," Manatse said.

He said mobilisation would include establishing temporary site facilities and deploying earth-moving and other construction equipment ahead of full-scale EPC works.

Manatse also confirmed that the required advance payment guarantee had been established and submitted through CHiNT Electric, with the company saying other arrangements necessary to commence implementation were now in place.

He said Intratrek would continue working closely with ZPC throughout construction, describing the Gwanda project as being of national strategic importance to Zimbabwe's energy security ambitions and Vision 2030.

The completion of the solar plant would represent a significant step towards increasing domestic power generation, reducing the country's exposure to electricity imports and strengthening the reliability of supply to the productive sectors of the economy.