Soventix to start construction on 22-MWp solar project in Zimbabwe

Soventix South Africa, a subsidiary of Germany-based Soventix GmbH, said last week it has been entrusted with the construction of the largest IPP solar photovoltaic (PV) project in Zimbabwe.

The construction on the 22-MWp Harava project will start this month and it will be developed on 40 hectares (98.8 acres) of land in the Bwoni Village, Seke Rural District. The fixed mounted system will be powered by 66,528 solar modules and 192 string inverters, with an approximate annual power generation of 40 GWh.

The electricity generated will be fed into the national utility’s infrastructure via a 132-kV substation and overhead line. The 30-MVA substation that will be built by Soventix will be large enough to provide for phase two of the project, the company said.

The Havara project is funded by Botswana-based independent power producer Invest Solar Africa Limited. Through the means of a Community Development Share Ownership Trust, the local villagers of the Bwoni Community would own 10% of the plant.

Soventix is looking to expand its market activities in southern Africa. “The photovoltaic market in Zimbabwe is still in the initial stage. Hence, the country offers great weather conditions to use the potential of solar energy. With the high and predictable level of irradiation photovoltaic could be used to stabilise electricity supply and reduce energy costs”, commented Thorsten Preugschas, CEO of Soventix.

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