The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) has approved a generation licence to Parvalue Energy (Private) Limited that helps the firm to build and operate a 50-MW solar park in Bulawayo.
The licence, which will be valid for a period of 25 years, concerns the Donnington West Power plant project, to be constructed at a site in Westgate Suburbs.
The regulator confirmed the issuing of the licence in a public notice and said that the plant would be setteled at Donnington West Plant for purposes of generation and supply of electricity. “The generation licence is hereby granted to Parvalue Energy Limited; to own, operate and maintain the 50MW solar photovoltaic power plant called Donnington West Power plant at stand 3039, Donnington West, Westgate Suburb in Bulawayo,” said Zera.
The statement from Zera also indicated that Parvalue Energy was now allowed to supply electricity to any transmission, distribution or supply licensee who purchases electricity for resale and, with the approval of the Authority, to any one or more consumers. Zera said the licence was issued in terms of Section 4(1)(e) of the Energy Regulatory Authority Act (Chapter 13:23) as read with Section 42 of the Electricity Act (Chapter 13:19).
The license is issued at a time Zimbabwe is facing acute electricity supply gaps with low generation capacity at the country’s main power stations in Hwange and Kariba.