Cement maker PPC Zimbabwe finds investor for 32-MW solar project - report

Cement maker Pretoria Portland Cement (PPC) Zimbabwe has found a partner to build and operate a 32-MW solar park in the country’s southwestern parts, the Chronicle reports.

The photovoltaic (PV) project in question will be located at the site of PPC’s clinker factory in the town of Colleen Bawn, Matabeleland South province. The output of half of its installed capacity, 16 MW, will be used for the company’s cement manufacturing operations, while the excess electricity will be supplied to the national power grid.

While the name of the investor is not disclosed, PPC’s head of operations Marvellous Sibanda was quoted as saying that this is a Zimbabwe-based entity with technical partners in South Africa. The partner was selected through a competitive tender among 38 bidders and now project financing is being arranged. The PPC official did not provide details about the overall cost of the scheme.

The construction of the PV farm is expected to take 18 months.

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