JA Solar has won a contract to supply 100MW of solar PV modules to the China MCC17 Group for three large scale ground mounted solar projects in Zimbabwe.
Combined, the three projects have an installed capacity of 300MW and a contract value of $544m. JA Solar will supply cables to China MCC17’s project in Munyati, a $179m contract.
According to information provided by the State Procurement Board of Zimbabwe the solar plants will be in Munyati, nearby Insukamini and Gwanda, the capital of Matabeleland South, near the Botswana border.
Currently the majority of Zimbabwe’s electricity comes from one large thermal power station, three smaller thermal power stations and a hydropower station. They don’t meet the country’s needs as almost half of the power generation units have been out of service for several years.
China President Xi Jinping visited Zimbabwe on December 1 on a state visit and the countries agreed to work together on trade and energy projects.
The projects are scheduled to commence construction near the end of 2016 or early 2017, and are expected to be completed by the end of 2017.
JA Solar executive president Xie Jian said: “Winning the contract to supply PV modules to the Zimbabwe project not only provides opportunities for JA Solar to establish stronger relationships in Zimbabwe but also helps lay a foundation for the company to develop relationships with other African countries.”
Image: JA Solar
