Zimbabwe’s government has granted Makomo Resource the licence to build a 660 MW thermal power plant in Hwange. The infrastructure which will include two 330 MW units will help reduce the nation’s power deficit.

“We got the licence from the Government two weeks ago and we are looking at activating our financiers,” said Makomo’s general manager, Samson Mavhura. Construction for the project is estimated to cost about $2 billion which will be provided by coal miner and Chinese investors.

“We have set a timeline of a maximum of three years once funding is released by the international investors that we have on board. Southern Energy will be in charge of the project as we are responsible for the production of the raw material that is coal,” Mavhura said.

Makomo, Zimbabwe’s leading coal miner ahead of Hwange Colliery aims to raise its monthly output to 300,000 tons. While 60% of the firm’s stake is held by Zimbabweans, remaining 40% is held by British and South African investors.

Gwladys Johnson