Should Zimbabwe invest in solar energy?

In the last couple of years there has been an increased focus on solar energy. Zimbabwe has solar irradiation averaging 20 MJ per m2 and 3000 hours of sunshine per year. Its location and climate provide a lucrative opportunity for investment in solar energy technology and the government is looking to provide incentives to leverage in the sector.

What are Zimbabwe's investment opportunities?

Investment opportunities will arise in two main areas in Zimbabwe in the next decade: renewable energy and petroleum. The government has provided incentives to the energy sector and awarded several IPP licenses to different companies, but very few of these projects have been executed.

What is Zimbabwe's energy demand?

Zimbabwe's increased economic activity in various sectors, including housing development and construction, has fueled a demand for energy and electricity demand in general. The Government of Zimbabwe estimates the surge in power demand to peak at 2000 MW in 2023, as compared to 1200 MW in 2021.

How much does a solar IPP cost in Zimbabwe?

In December 2022, Zimbabwe announced a government implementation agreement (GIA) to expedite the commissioning of 27 solar IPP installations. The 1 GW of projects range from 5 MW arrays to 100 MW solar parks and will cost about USD 1 billion in total.