Zimbabwe To Develop 278 MW Hybrid Renewable Energy Project With Wind, Solar And Battery Storage

Modaso Energy, a company under MISA Group, has partnered with Zimbabwean renewable energy developer Tatanga Energy to develop the 278 MW Guruve-Mazowe (Chikonyora) Hybrid Renewable Energy Project in Mashonaland Central, Zimbabwe. The project is expected to become the country’s first utility-scale wind farm and the first utility-scale facility outside South Africa in sub-Saharan Africa to integrate wind, solar power and battery storage at a single location.

The proposed project will comprise 128 MW of wind power capacity, 100 MWac of solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity and a 50 MW/100 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS). All three components will operate through a single 100 MW connection to the national electricity grid. The facility is expected to generate approximately 550 GWh of clean electricity annually, equivalent to around 5% of Zimbabwe’s total national power generation.

Tatanga Energy initiated the development in 2021 and is responsible for local project operations, including land acquisition, community engagement, permitting and coordination with government authorities. Modaso Energy is leading the technical development and financial structuring. The company has redesigned the original wind-only proposal into an integrated renewable energy project combining three technologies. It is also overseeing electricity offtake arrangements, contracting and debt financing. MISA Group, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, is providing financial backing and facilitating connections with international lenders and investors.

Zimbabwe’s state-owned power utility, ZESA, is expected to serve as the primary electricity buyer. Negotiations are underway for the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) and Use of System Agreement. Meanwhile, Africa GreenCo, through its subsidiary ZimGreenCo, has signed Heads of Terms to purchase a portion of the project’s electricity under a long-term arrangement. Additional power could be traded through the Southern African Power Pool, providing access to regional electricity markets.

Standard Bank has agreed to a debt term sheet and will act as the appointed lead arranger for the project’s debt financing. The development represents an estimated foreign direct investment of approximately USD 300 million. Financial close is expected in mid-2027, with construction scheduled to follow. The project is targeting commercial operations in 2029.

The integration of wind, solar and battery storage is expected to improve electricity generation throughout the day by balancing the different production profiles of the technologies. The facility is designed to achieve an average grid capacity factor of more than 60%. According to the project details, this hybrid configuration could deliver approximately 40% more energy through a single grid connection compared with standalone renewable energy systems.

The project is also expected to strengthen Zimbabwe’s electricity supply by reducing dependence on rainfall, Kariba Dam water levels and imported fossil fuels. Its battery storage system will provide fast-response grid support, helping improve power system reliability and flexibility.

The development is expected to create around 1,000 construction jobs, with priority given to local workers, while introducing specialised skills in wind energy and hybrid power plant management. It is projected to avoid approximately 0.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually, contributing around 11% towards Zimbabwe’s National Renewable Energy Policy target of 2,100 MW by 2030. The project will also finance permanent road improvements along the turbine transportation route and requires no community resettlement.