China continues to spead its influence in Africa with the backing for new solar projects in Zimbabwe, where economic development is hampered by chronic power shortages.
Local press reports say that ZTE Corporation has completed a feasibility study for Zimbabwe Power Company’s Insukamini Solar Project, and that an application for project funding by ZTE Corporation from China Eximbank is currently being finalized.
The State Procurement Board has awarded tenders for three 100MW solar power projects; Intratrek Zimbabwe will develop the Gwanda project, ZTE Corporation will develop Insukamini, and Number 17 Metallurgical China will develop Munyati. China Metallurgical Group Corporation is a state-owned enterprise based in Beijing.
The cost of each of the three solar projects is expected to be between US$160 million and US$180 million.
ZTE Corporation is a telecommunications company based in Shenzhen, but it also has a renewable energy division. ZTE is already present in Africa, and in 2016 partnered with Airtel Uganda to ramp up its 3G mobile network performance, and pave the way or 4G.
