Tanganda completes 1,8MW solar plant

TANGANDA has installed a 1,8 megawatt (MW) solar plant at one of its tea estates and plans to complete two more solar farms at two other estates by year-end, as part of the Meikles group’s plan to expand its agriculture exports.

Construction of the plant at Ratelshoek, Chipinge, was completed in September. The plant, built by DPA, is now supplying power for irrigation and acting as a standby source of power for the factory supported by diesel generators when power supply from the national grid is interrupted, Meikles said in its half-year financial results.

“During the current power outages, 70% diesel savings have been realised when compared with prior year usage,” the company said.

Two more solar power plants are under construction, Tingamira’s 1,6MW and Jersey’s 2MW plants are expected to be completed by December. In total, Meikles plans to install 7,5MW of solar power, the company has said.

“The group is well-placed to take advantage of opportunities that may arise as it has substantial resources to support its strategies. To this end, capital projects across the subsidiaries will be completed as planned. There are strong indications that the forthcoming agricultural season will be more positive than the previous two seasons, which augurs well for Tanganda,” Meikles said.

The company has been increasing its investment in agriculture after selling off Meikles Hotel to Dubai’s Albwardy Hotels for US$20 million early this year.

In the six months to September, Tanganda’s tea export sales of 3 282 tonnes were 11% lower than the 3 669 tonnes sold in the same period last year.

Average bulk tea export prices for the period dropped to US$1,35/kg from US$1,47/kg in the six months period to September 30 last year. Tea production for the period fell by 17% mainly due to the drought.

Packed tea sales volumes grew by 14%.