Zimbabwe’s long-delayed 100-megawatt Gwanda solar project is back on track after the Government issued Intratrek Zimbabwe with a formal Notice to Proceed, dire...
Zimbabwe’s long-delayed 100-megawatt Gwanda solar project is back on track after the Government issued Intratrek Zimbabwe with a formal Notice to Proceed, directing the contractor to complete the power plant within 24 months.
The development follows the restated Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract signed on March 27, 2025, between the Government, through the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC), and Intratrek Zimbabwe.
The Notice to Proceed formally authorises Intratrek to begin work and take occupation of the project site in accordance with the terms of the EPC contract.
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In correspondence to Intratrek, ZPC said the contractor was required to mobilise to the site and begin activities without delay.
“Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8.1 of the EPC contract, this letter serves as the formal Notice to Proceed with the full implementation of the contract,” ZPC said.
“Accordingly, the contractor is hereby authorised to commence execution of the works and to take immediate occupation of the project site in accordance with the conditions of the contract.”
The project duration has been set at 24 months, in line with the agreed programme of works contained in the EPC contract and its accompanying schedules.
The Government said site works would begin subject to the release of an advance mobilisation payment. Intratrek is also required to provide regular progress updates to the Office of the President and Cabinet, the employer’s representative and the project owner.
The contractor will be expected to submit periodic progress reports and comply with contractual requirements relating to project milestones and other obligations.
“The Government of Zimbabwe expresses its keen anticipation for the successful execution of this national project, which is instrumental in achieving electricity self-sufficiency and enhancing energy security,” the Government said.
The Gwanda solar project has been described as strategically important to Zimbabwe because of the country’s electricity shortages and the need to diversify its energy sources.
Zimbabwe has an installed power generation capacity of about 2 600MW to 2 962MW, while actual average generation often falls between 1 400MW and 1 600MW. National peak demand has been estimated at between 2 000MW and 4 000MW, leaving the country with a significant electricity deficit.
The addition of 100MW from the Gwanda project is expected to contribute to the country’s electricity supply while increasing the contribution of solar energy to the national energy mix.
Reliable electricity is also important for key economic sectors such as mining and agriculture, with the Government seeking to support wider industrialisation and economic growth.
Intratrek Zimbabwe initially won the contract to construct the Gwanda solar power plant towards the end of 2014. The initial EPC cost was US$172 million, with Intratrek emerging as the lowest bidder to specification.
Other companies that had submitted bids included ZTE Corporation, Number 17 Metallurgical China, China Jiangxi International Corporation and Afriven Investments.
ZPC and Intratrek later agreed to reduce the EPC contract value to US$132 million, following a decline in the global cost of constructing solar power plants.
Despite the contract being awarded, implementation of the Gwanda project stalled for several years.
The project was affected by Zimbabwe’s sovereign debt to China and prolonged legal disputes involving ZPC and its parent company, Zesa Holdings, over delays in implementation.
In April 2018, ZPC cancelled the EPC contract, arguing that it had validly terminated the agreement because of delays and the expiry of agreed implementation timelines.
The termination was challenged by Intratrek at the High Court.
On January 11, 2023, the High Court ruled that the contract between ZPC and Intratrek remained valid and in force.
ZPC appealed against the ruling at the Supreme Court, but the appeal was dismissed on December 1, 2023.
The Supreme Court decision confirmed that Intratrek held a valid contract for the 100MW Gwanda solar project.
The ruling meant that specific performance could apply, allowing the project to proceed and resulting in the reinstatement of the EPC contract.
Intratrek’s technical EPC partner for the project is CHiNT Electric Co Ltd, a major solar and electrical equipment company headquartered in Shanghai, China.
Following the issuance of the Notice to Proceed, Intratrek executive chairman Wilson Manase said the company appreciated the Government’s support in moving the project to the implementation stage.
“The Notice to Proceed represents a critical project milestone as it signals the formal commencement of execution of the works,” Manase said.
He said Intratrek was immediately mobilising its project teams and equipment to the site.
“We are pleased to confirm that pursuant to the Notice, we are now proceeding with the immediate mobilisation of our project teams to site, together with the earth moving and associated construction equipment,” he said.
Manase said the initial mobilisation would include establishing temporary site facilities and carrying out preparatory activities required before full-scale EPC construction begins.
He also said Intratrek had submitted the required advance payment guarantee through its technical partner, CHiNT Electric, and that arrangements necessary to begin implementation were in place.
The company will continue working with ZPC throughout the construction period.
The Gwanda project has also been highlighted as part of Zimbabwe’s wider objective of improving energy security and achieving electricity self-sufficiency under Vision 2030.
Before the Notice to Proceed was issued, businessman Wicknell Chivayo had pledged to complete the stalled project, citing its national importance. He had also committed to personally funding the project without Government financial backing.
The Government’s latest directive now provides a formal framework for construction to resume, with Intratrek required to meet the agreed programme and report regularly on progress.
For ZPC, the focus will be on monitoring the contractor’s performance and ensuring that contractual commitments are met.
“The employer shall continue to monitor progress and ensure that all contractual commitments are met to deliver a project that meets international engineering and power generation standards,” the Government said.
With the 24-month implementation period now set, Intratrek is expected to proceed with mobilisation and site activities before moving into the main construction phase.
The completion of the Gwanda solar project would add 100MW of solar generation capacity to Zimbabwe’s power system and contribute to Government efforts to address electricity shortages and improve energy security.
