Chinese firm wants to build R18-billion floating solar farm on Lake Kariba

March 27, 2023 Siyabonga Mtangana

China Energy Engineering Group has proposed building a 1GW floating solar farm in Zimbabwe, a nearly US$1-billion (R18.3-billion) project, on the world’s largest dam.

More than 1.8 million photovoltaic panels installed over 146 modular floating units would be used for the project on Lake Kariba if it went ahead, according to an official report that was prepared for the state’s power utility and potential private equity funders by the company. The civil engineering works would cost $186-million and installation $801-million, according to China Energy.

Zimbabwe is facing acute electricity shortages that have resulted in blackouts lasting about 12 hours a day because low water levels have stifled generation from a hydropower plant on Lake Kariba. The problem has been exacerbated by frequent breakdowns at the Hwange thermal power station.

China Energy has installed floating panels on China’s Dingzhuang River and in Thailand, it said in the presentation. Interest in such installations, which avoid competition for land and have the potential to reduce evaporation from reservoirs, have increased in recent years, according to the International Energy Agency.

The Kariba report was prepared for Zimbabwe Power, CDF Trust, Energy China and the Intensive Energy Users Group, which comprises mining companies and other big electricity consumers. It envisions mining operations eventually tapping power from the project, which would help the country reduce its carbon emissions. — (c) 2023 Bloomberg LP