Victor Utedzi, founder of Centragrid, is leading Zimbabwe’s transition to renewable energy with large-scale projects, including solar and hydroelectric plants, aimed at powering industries and decarbonizing the economy.
After expanding the Nyabira solar plant to 25MW, Utedzi has unveiled several projects to meet the energy needs of Zimbabwe’s key industries.
These include a 15MW hydro plant at Tugwi-Mukosi Dam to feed ZEA, two solar plants for PPC, with capacities of 12MW in Bulawayo and 24MW at Colleen Bawn, and a 100MW solar plant for Afrochine ferrochrome and another 100MW plant for Dinson Steel, both backed by 25-year power purchase agreements (PPAs).
These projects aim to support energy-intensive industries while contributing to global decarbonization efforts. Said Utedzi:
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It took us exactly 10 years, from July 2009 to August 01, 2019, to deliver our first PVC solar plant in Zimbabwe. It was one of the first 2.5MW solar power plants, just 30km from the centre of Harare.
In September this year, we successfully completed the extension of that power plant. It is now 25MW and our customer there is the national utility, Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company.
We also have reached this first draw down on a 15MW hydro which is sitting in Masvingo, the southern part of the country. We have started construction there. Again, our customer is the national utility.
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Utedzi said development finance institutions (DFIs) play a crucial role in providing long-term financing, with rates falling below 10% per annum, making Zimbabwe increasingly attractive for renewable energy investments.
Since delivering its first 2.5MW solar plant in 2019, Centragrid has grown to become a leader in Zimbabwe’s renewable energy sector.
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Victor Utedzi is helping Zimbabwe use renewable energy by building big solar and hydroelectric projects. He made the Nyabira solar plant bigger and has announced more projects for important industries. These projects include a 15MW hydro plant, two solar plants for PPC, and two solar plants for Afrochine ferrochrome and Dinson Steel. They have agreements to sell power for 25 years. Utedzi says it took 10 years to finish their first solar plant and now they are growing fast. Development finance institutions are helping with money at low rates. Centragrid is now a leader in renewable energy in Zimbabwe.

Centragrid Boss, Victor Utedzi, Unveils New Energy Projects With Total Capacity Of 251MW

A local energy expert, Victor Utedzi, says Zimbabwe needs to make huge investments in solar energy to deal with its current energy crisis.
On Thursday, Zimbabwe had a shortfall of nearly 900MW, according to ZESA’s internal daily updates.
The Zambezi River Authority (ZRA), which manages Kariba Dam, last week advised ZESA to stop production at the Kariba South hydroelectric plant because of low usable water levels.
Speaking during an interview with <a href="https://www.news24.com/news24/africa/news/explainer-inside-zimbabwes-power-generation-crisis-20221201">News24,</a> Utedzi said another option that Zimbabwe has is to ask to purchase water from the Zambian side of the Kariba Dam. He said:
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The solution [to Zimbabwe’s power crisis] is to increase the variety of power generation avenues in the country from other sources.
The 600MW Hwange extension will help by reducing the amount of generation.
The country has to deploy more solar photovoltaic (PV), which works during the day and allows water to be conserved.
Solar is clearly the best prospect. It’s the lowest cost, quick to build, and the sun is in abundant supply in the country. There are also good wind resources spread throughout the country.
The Zimbabwe National Water Authority has a number of dams already built, which could provide up to 500MW of power.
There’s the Muzabani oil and gas prospect drilling by Invictus. It’s still subject to a successful drilling programme.
Even then, there is a need for significant capital spending to extract the gas, clean it into a usable form for power generation, and build transportation facilities for consumers.
It’s an excellent prospect that will require significant capital to be fully exploited.
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He said Zimbabwe should improve the ease of doing business and assure investors that the environment is safe and profitable as it is competing with its neigbours for the same pool of capital.

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