Malilangwe Trust seeks licence for 2MW solar plant at Chiredzi conservancy
Malilangwe Trust has applied to ZERA for a licence to build and run a 2MW solar plant at its Chiredzi conservation estate. Public consultation runs for 14 days, with submissions closing May 5, 2026.
HARARE — Malilangwe Trust has applied to the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) for a licence to build and operate a 2MW solar plant within the Malilangwe Wildlife Estate in Chiredzi, Masvingo province.
The proposed project is set for Subdivision 1, Fair Range, Chiredzi, and the application was filed under Section 46 of the Electricity Act [Chapter 13:19] (2002). If approved, the trust would be authorised to construct, own, operate and maintain the facility.
ZERA has opened a 14-day public consultation window, inviting stakeholders to submit written representations for or against the application.. According to the notice, submissions close on May 5, 2026.. For residents and organisations with an interest in land use, environmental considerations, and local power planning, the consultation period is likely the most direct moment to influence how the project is shaped.
Power from the solar plant would be used exclusively on-site. It would also be fed through the existing Chiredzi 11kV (33kV) feeder line, meaning the system is designed around local consumption rather than broader grid export.
Behind the technical steps is a practical reality many conservation-linked enterprises face in Zimbabwe: reliable electricity is not only a convenience, it affects daily operations, security systems, water and refrigeration needs, and the upkeep of facilities that depend on uninterrupted service.. For a private conservation area, that reliability can also translate into better-managed habitats and services for surrounding communities.
Malilangwe Wildlife Estate is a private conservation area in the Lowveld, managed by Malilangwe Trust.. The trust’s mandate combines wildlife conservation with community development, and the solar project fits into a wider pattern where private operators increasingly look at off-grid and embedded energy solutions when grid supply is unstable.
The decision to pursue licensing for a dedicated solar installation is also a signal of how energy planning is shifting.. Instead of waiting for large-scale grid improvements, some organisations are prioritising generation that is closely matched to their own demand profiles, reducing exposure to outages and keeping operational costs more predictable.
Still, solar projects do not proceed on renewable energy momentum alone.. Consultation processes matter because stakeholders often want clarity on issues such as site boundaries, the impact on surrounding land and ecosystems, and how the plant’s connection to existing infrastructure will be handled.. The consultation period therefore becomes a checkpoint not just for approval, but for community trust.
For Chiredzi and the wider Masvingo region, the application could also set expectations for how other private landholders approach energy upgrades.. If the licensing process proceeds smoothly, it may encourage similar efforts across conservation areas and private developments—especially where on-site generation can deliver practical benefits without relying on distant grid expansion.
As the public submissions period runs, the question for observers will be whether concerns raised during consultation lead to adjustments—or whether the trust’s plan advances as submitted.. Either way, the next step will determine how quickly the 2MW solar project can move from planning to implementation under ZERA’s oversight.