China Energy Engineering Group has proposed a massive floating solar farm on Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe, using over 1.8 million photovoltaic panels to tackle the country’s electricity shortages and reduce carbon emissions.
The company has proposed the construction of a 1GW floating solar farm on Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe, which would cost nearly $1 billion. The project would use over 1.8 million photovoltaic panels installed over 146 modular floating units, as stated in an official report prepared by the company for Zimbabwe’s power utility and potential private equity funders. The civil engineering works and installation costs are projected to be $186 million and $801 million, respectively.
Zimbabwe is currently grappling with acute electricity shortages that have caused 12-hour blackouts per day, owing to low water levels that have restricted power generation from the Lake Kariba hydropower plant. This problem has been compounded by frequent breakdowns at the Hwange thermal power station. To alleviate this issue, mining operations could eventually tap into the project’s power, which could help Zimbabwe reduce its carbon emissions.
China Energy has previously installed floating panels on China’s Dingzhuang River and in Thailand, according to the company’s presentation. The International Energy Agency has noted an increase in interest in such installations, as they do not compete for land and have the potential to reduce evaporation from reservoirs.
From Colonialism to Investment: China’s Evolving Economic Relationship with Zimbabwe and Africa
China’s economic relationship with Zimbabwe and Africa as a whole has been growing rapidly over the past decade. China has become a major economic player on the African continent, with investments in various industries, including infrastructure, mining, and energy.
In Zimbabwe, China has been a major source of investment and aid. China has invested in infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges, and power plants. In 2020, China Energy Engineering Group proposed building a 1 GW floating solar farm on Lake Kariba, the world’s largest dam, which could alleviate the country’s acute electricity shortages.
However, China’s economic presence in Zimbabwe has not been without controversy. Critics have accused China of engaging in debt-trap diplomacy, where it offers loans to developing countries for infrastructure projects that they cannot afford, leading to a cycle of debt and dependence. Zimbabwe is currently one of the most indebted countries in the world, with a debt-to-GDP ratio of over 100%.
China’s economic relationship with Africa as a whole has also come under scrutiny. While China’s investment in Africa has helped to boost the continent’s economic growth, critics have raised concerns about the lack of transparency and accountability in Chinese investments. There have also been reports of Chinese companies engaging in exploitative labor practices and environmental damage.
Despite these concerns, China’s economic relationship with Africa is likely to continue to grow. China’s Belt and Road Initiative, which aims to connect Asia, Europe, and Africa through a network of infrastructure projects, has the potential to bring significant economic benefits to African countries. However, it is important for African countries to ensure that they negotiate fair deals with China and that Chinese investments are transparent and sustainable.
Overall, China’s economic relationship with Zimbabwe and Africa as a whole is complex and multifaceted. While Chinese investment has the potential to bring economic benefits to African countries, it is important for African governments to ensure that these investments are sustainable and do not lead to a cycle of debt and dependence.
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