KEY POINTS

• Modaso Energy and Tatanga Energy plan to invest $300 million in a hybrid renewable energy project in northern Zimbabwe.

• The 228 MW facility is expected to generate 550 GWh of electricity annually.

• Zimbabwe aims to raise renewable capacity to 2,640 MW and achieve universal electricity access by 2030.

Modaso Energy and Tatanga Energy have partnered to develop a $300 million hybrid renewable energy project in northern Zimbabwe, combining wind, solar and battery storage to strengthen the country’s electricity supply.

Modaso Energy, a subsidiary of MISA Group, and Tatanga Energy announced the partnership on Tuesday, November 3, to develop the Guruve-Mazowe hybrid renewable energy project.

The planned facility will have a combined generation capacity of 228 megawatts (MW), comprising 128 MW of wind power and 100 MW of solar energy. It will also include a battery storage system rated at 50 MW/100 megawatt-hours (MWh).

The developers estimate the project will cost $300 million and generate approximately 550 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity annually.

That output would be equivalent to about 5% of Zimbabwe’s current annual electricity production, making the project a potentially significant addition to the country’s power supply.

The combination of wind, solar and battery storage is designed to improve the consistency of electricity generation by integrating different energy sources and storing power for later use.

ZESA and regional power trader expected to buy electricity

Most of the electricity generated by the project is expected to be sold to Zimbabwe’s state-owned power utility, ZESA.

ZimGreenCo, a subsidiary of regional electricity trader Africa GreenCo, also intends to purchase part of the project’s output.

However, the developers and prospective buyers have yet to finalise their power purchase agreements, which will establish the terms under which the electricity will be sold.

Finalising these agreements will be an important step towards securing the project’s commercial arrangements and determining how its output will be supplied to the electricity market.

The project could help diversify Zimbabwe’s power generation sources and reduce some of the pressure on its existing electricity infrastructure.

Development builds on earlier wind farm plans

The Guruve-Mazowe project has been in development for several years.

Tatanga Energy and Spanish energy company Enerfin initially planned to develop the site as a 100 MW wind farm.

In September 2021, the developers launched a wind measurement campaign to assess the site’s potential and determine the most suitable turbines for the project.

The latest design represents a significant expansion of the original concept, incorporating solar generation and battery storage alongside wind power.

This hybrid configuration is intended to provide a more balanced electricity supply when wind speeds fall or sunlight becomes limited.

It could also complement Zimbabwe’s hydropower facilities, whose output is heavily influenced by rainfall and water levels. Diversifying generation sources is particularly important for managing fluctuations in hydropower production during periods of low rainfall.

Project supports Zimbabwe’s renewable energy targets

The development aligns with Zimbabwe’s wider plans to expand renewable energy generation and increase access to electricity.

Under its National Energy Compact, developed through the Mission 300 initiative led by the World Bank Group and the African Development Bank, alongside other partners, Zimbabwe aims to increase its renewable energy capacity from 1,282 MW in 2024 to 2,640 MW by 2030.

The country has also set a target of achieving universal electricity access by 2030.

Household electrification stood at an estimated 41% in 2024, indicating the scale of the challenge facing the government as it seeks to extend electricity services to more homes.

If completed and connected to the grid, the Guruve-Mazowe project could contribute to the country’s renewable energy expansion while providing additional electricity for consumers and businesses.

However, the project’s delivery will depend on progress through development, financing, construction and the finalisation of electricity sales agreements.