• Zimbabwe is set to host a 500MW flagship solar project under a newly announced 10GW Africa renewable energy platform led by INOX Clean Energy, RJ Corp and SkyPower
  • The investment comes amid a deepening electricity deficit, with national demand exceeding supply by more than 1,000MW due to constrained hydropower output and ageing thermal infrastructure
  • The integrated platform combines manufacturing, financing and development expertise, positioning the project as a potential catalyst for Zimbabwe’s energy diversification and broader regional renewable rollout

Harare - Zimbabwe is set to host a flagship project of a new multi-gigawatt African renewable energy platform spearheaded by INOX Clean Energy, RJ Corp and SkyPower, marking one of the most consequential private-sector solar investment announcements in the country’s recent energy history.

The consortium this week unveiled plans to deploy more than 10 gigawatts (GW) of solar infrastructure across Africa through an integrated Independent Power Producer (IPP) platform, alongside the launch of a 500-megawatt (MW) green energy solar power project in Zimbabwe positioned as the anchor development within the broader programme.

The platform brings together three globally active firms with complementary strengths. INOX Clean Energy, part of India’s INOXGFL Group, operates across renewable development and solar manufacturing, providing integrated supply-chain and IPP capability.

RJ Corp, a diversified multinational chaired by Ravi Jaipuria and promoter of Varun Beverages Limited  PepsiCo’s largest bottling franchise outside the United States  brings regional operating presence across Zimbabwe, Zambia and the DRC. SkyPower, a Canada-origin solar developer with more than two decades of experience and over 3 GW of contracted projects, contributes project origination and execution expertise, positioning the alliance for large-scale renewable rollout in Africa.

The announcement arrives at a moment of acute strain within Zimbabwe’s electricity system, where prolonged power outages  in some instances stretching beyond 16 hours daily during 2025  have exposed deep structural deficits and underlined the urgency of large-scale generation investment.

Peak national electricity demand is estimated at around 2,200 MW, yet output has periodically fallen to less than 900MW a day, leaving a substantial supply gap bridged through imports, diesel generation and load-shedding.

Underlying these constraints is a generation mix heavily exposed to hydrological volatility and ageing thermal capacity. Kariba, the country’s primary hydroelectric facility, has operated below potential following drought-driven declines in reservoir levels, while Hwange Thermal Power Station has faced recurring technical disruptions. The result has been a sustained reliability crisis affecting households, businesses and public institutions alike.

Against this backdrop, the proposed 500 MW solar facility represents a potentially transformative addition to Zimbabwe’s generation pipeline.The project will strengthen energy security while supporting decarbonisation across productive sectors including agriculture, healthcare, education, mining and manufacturing, aligning with national infrastructure priorities under the Vision 2030 framework.

The initiative reflects accelerating private-sector engagement in Africa’s renewable transition. While the continent holds roughly 60% of the world’s best solar resources, it continues to account for only a small share of global renewable capacity and investment, highlighting a persistent gap between resource potential and infrastructure deployment.

Rising clean-energy capital flows into Africa  have begun to narrow this divide, but financing constraints, execution risks and fragmented project pipelines remain significant barriers.

The newly announced platform seeks to address these structural challenges through vertical and institutional integration.

INOX Clean Energy contributes an end-to-end renewable ecosystem encompassing IPP operations and solar manufacturing through the INOXGFL Group, providing supply-chain depth rarely available to African projects.

RJ Corp brings regional operational presence and execution capacity, supported by established commercial infrastructure across Zimbabwe, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). SkyPower, meanwhile, provides global development expertise and a portfolio exceeding 3 GW of contracted solar projects backed by power purchase agreements.

The joint venture has also incorporated SkyPower Services MENA into its structure, formalising SkyPower’s technical and origination role and reinforcing the platform’s development capability.

This integrated approach is designed to accelerate project timelines while preserving bankability  a combination essential for scaling renewable deployment across emerging African markets.

Zimbabwe’s selection as an early implementation market reflects both necessity and policy opportunity. Hydropower variability at Kariba, ageing coal-fired assets and rising electricity demand from mining and industrial activity have intensified pressure for alternative supply sources, positioning utility-scale solar as a critical component of future capacity expansion.

Government targets to expand renewable generation and achieve universal electrification by 2030 remain ambitious, particularly given relatively low grid connectivity and limited utility-scale renewable penetration to date.

However, the timing of the announcement coinciding with the SADC Energy Summit in Victoria Falls signals an effort to reposition Zimbabwe as a destination for energy infrastructure capital while reinforcing regional cooperation on power development.

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