By Tichaona Katsvamutima
Zimbabwe is set to develop its first utility-scale wind farm under a proposed US$300 million renewable energy investment in Mashonaland Central, with developers targeting approximately 1,000 construction jobs and additional electricity generation equivalent to 5% of the country’s current annual output.
The Guruve–Mazowe Hybrid Renewable Energy Project was announced on Tuesday, November 3, in a joint statement by Dubai-headquartered renewable energy developer Modaso Energy, a subsidiary of Geneva-based MISA Group, in partnership with Zimbabwean renewable energy company Tatanga Energy.
The project will combine 128 megawatts (MW) of wind generation, 100 MW of solar power and a 50 MW battery storage system with a capacity of 100 megawatt-hours, making it Zimbabwe’s first large-scale development integrating the three technologies.
According to the statement, the facility is expected to generate approximately 550 gigawatt-hours of electricity annually through a single 100 MW connection to the national grid.
The developers said the project would also become the first utility-scale wind, solar and battery storage facility in sub-Saharan Africa, excluding South Africa, with a national electricity utility serving as a key purchaser.
Standard Bank has been appointed to arrange debt financing for the estimated US$300 million investment, with a debt term sheet already agreed.
Financial close is targeted for mid-2027, after which construction is expected to commence, while commercial electricity generation is scheduled for 2029.
Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) is expected to become the project’s primary electricity purchaser, although negotiations over the Power Purchase Agreement and Use of System Agreement remain ongoing.
ZESA Group Chief Executive Officer Engineer Cletus Nyachowe welcomed the development.
“At ZESA, our job is to deliver reliable power to every Zimbabwean home, farm and business. Through ZESA, we are working with Modaso and Tatanga to bring the Guruve-Mazowe project’s power onto our national grid,” Nyachowe said.
“This will be Zimbabwe’s first utility-scale wind farm, and our country’s first project to combine wind, solar and battery storage. It means new clean power for Zimbabwe, and new skills for Zimbabweans. We are proud to help build it.”
Africa GreenCo, through its Zimbabwean subsidiary ZimGreenCo, has also signed Heads of Terms to purchase a share of the project’s electricity under a proposed long-term agreement.
The developers said additional electricity could potentially be sold through the Southern African Power Pool, providing access to regional electricity markets.
Africa GreenCo Zimbabwe Managing Director Lion Mashiri said the arrangement would provide the project with an additional route to market alongside ZESA.
“As a contracted buyer and trader, ZimGreenCo gives Guruve-Mazowe a second route to market alongside ZESA, with access to buyers across the Southern African Power Pool,” Mashiri said.
He said diversified revenue sources would strengthen the project’s attractiveness to lenders and help mobilise private investment into Zimbabwe’s electricity sector.
The development is expected to create approximately 1,000 jobs during construction, with preference for local residents undertaking general labour.
The project will also support road upgrades along routes used to transport wind turbines and other equipment, while introducing technical skills in wind energy and hybrid plant operations.
Tatanga Energy co-founder and director Memory Mashingaidze said the partnership marked an important step towards implementing a project that had been under development for several years.
“We were original developers in this project. It is something that is very near and dear to our hearts,” Mashingaidze said.
“We feel that we have the right partner in Modaso Energy and MISA Group, and we’re now excited to be pushing towards financial close.”
Tatanga Energy originated the project and has led land arrangements, community engagement, permitting and government consultations since wind measurement activities began in 2021.
Modaso Energy subsequently redesigned the original wind-only proposal into a hybrid development incorporating solar generation and battery storage.
MISA Group Chief Executive Officer Guy Hacking said the partnership demonstrated the importance of combining local development expertise with international financing capabilities.
“There is no shortage of renewable resources in Africa; but there is a shortage of electrons at the right place and the right time, and of bankable, high-quality projects,” Hacking said.
The developers said the combination of wind, solar and battery storage would allow electricity generated at different times of the day to be managed more efficiently, particularly during morning and evening demand peaks.
The facility is expected to achieve an average grid capacity factor exceeding 60%, with the hybrid configuration projected to deliver approximately 40% more electricity through the same grid connection than a less optimised single-technology arrangement.
The project is also expected to reduce reliance on electricity generation affected by rainfall fluctuations and Kariba Dam water levels.
