$20m hydro power plant for Tokwe Mukosi Dam
A SOUTH African investor has engaged Government over the construction of a $20 million mini-hydro power plant at the giant Tokwe-Mukosi Dam in Chivi South, in a development that is expected to boost electricity supply in the country.
The unnamed investor has already toured the Tokwe-Mukosi Dam site ahead of finalisation of a deal that will culminate in the installation of a 15-megawatt hydro power plant.
Masvingo Provincial Affairs Minister Josaya Hungwe yesterday confirmed the visit by the South African investor.
Minister Hungwe said the planned investment in a power generation project at Tokwe-Mukosi was an indication that foreign investors now regarded Zimbabwe as an investment destination of choice following the ascension of President Mnangagwa.
“We hosted a South African investor who has expressed strong interest to set up a mini-hydro power plant at Tokwe-Mukosi,” he said. “The investor made a site visit at the dam and was very impressed with the situation on the ground and we expect the power generation deal to be signed with Government once the loose ends of the deal have been tied in the near future.
“The investor has given a firm commitment to start work on the power plant once Government has given the green light and we are optimistic that the process will proceed smoothly.’’
Minister Hungwe said the South African investor engaged members of the newly-formed Masvingo Provincial Development Trust that was created to market investment opportunities in the province for the speedy socio-economic development of the province.
Minister Hungwe said the Masvingo provincial leadership was concerned by lack of progress in initiating development at Tokwe-Mukosi for the benefit of ordinary people in the province.
He said the building of a power generation plant at Tokwe-Mukosi was a harbinger of more projects centred on the dam.
“The South African investor, who is keen to build a plant at Tokwe-Mukosi, was engaged by members of the Provincial Development Trust and we are excited with the direction that is being taken by the Trust in its quest to engender socio-economic development in Masvingo,’’ he said.
“As the provincial leadership, we are concerned about lack of progress in exploiting Tokwe-Mukosi Dam water for the benefit of the people of Chivi and Masvingo province at large.
“Our people are struggling to put food on their tables and there are no jobs for our youths yet we have Tokwe-Mukosi water lying idle.
“There are people who are not doing what they are supposed to do in the first place because there is nothing tangible on the ground almost a year after the big dam was completed.’’
Minister Hungwe said building of a power generation plant at Tokwe-Mukosi would open avenues for more investors to tap into opportunities in tourism and agriculture.
“It is disturbing that there is no movement at Tokwe-Mukosi,” he said. “At the moment, we only hear about master plans being crafted, but nothing is taking place on the ground, we need our people to start benefiting from this dam.’’
The latest interest in Tokwe-Mukosi comes after a group of Chinese investors also toured the dam to scout for investment opportunities.
Tokwe-Mukosi is Zimbabwe’s largest inland dam with a capacity of 1,8 billion cubic metres and the water can irrigate more than 25 000 hectares, thereby transforming southern Masvingo into a perennial green belt.
The $300 million dam is tipped as a catalyst for socio-economic transformation in Masvingo province owing to opportunities in areas such as fisheries, agriculture and tourism.
But there is growing concern over delays in ensuring people in Masvingo start benefiting from the dam that was commissioned in May last year.