The Zimbabwe Power Company has issued a formal Notice to Proceed to Intratrek Zimbabwe, led by controversial businessman Wicknell Chivayo, demanding the completion of the long-delayed 100-megawatt Gwanda solar project within 24 months, backed by a fresh advance mobilisation payment and technical guarantees from CHiNT Electric.
Public infrastructure projects in developing economies often become tangled in legal and financial disputes, yet few have mirrored the turbulent trajectory of Zimbabwe’s Gwanda solar initiative. When the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) first awarded the engineering, procurement, and construction contract to Intratrek in 2014, the venture promised a vital injection of renewable energy into a grid chronically starved of capacity. Instead, the project stalled amid allegations of non-performance and a disputed initial US$5 million advance payment.
Here is why that matters for the broader Southern African energy landscape: As nations across the region race to bridge widening electricity deficits, stalled utility-scale solar developments highlight the fragile intersection of sovereign risk, public procurement oversight, and private-sector execution capacity. With a newly restated contract and a strict two-year countdown now ticking, the project’s revival serves as a critical stress test for Zimbabwe’s ability to deliver essential infrastructure under intense public and political scrutiny.
A Troubled Procurement History and Legal Battles
The origins of the Gwanda dispute stretch back more than a decade. According to reporting by Nehanda Radio, the government initially awarded the project to Intratrek in 2014 at an EPC cost of US$172 million after the firm emerged as the lowest bidder. Shortly afterward, Intratrek received a US$5 million advance mobilisation payment. Relations quickly soured. By 2018, ZPC cancelled the contract, arguing that the contractor had failed to commence work on site within agreed timelines despite having the initial funds.
Intratrek vehemently contested the termination in court. The company argued that crippling sovereign risk factors within Zimbabwe had directly undermined its ability to secure the necessary international financing. The legal battle wound its way through the nation’s judicial system until January 2023, when the High Court ruled that the contract remained valid. That decision was subsequently cemented in December 2023, when the Supreme Court dismissed ZPC’s appeal.
Following the judicial clearance, the government and Intratrek formally signed a revised agreement on March 27, 2025. As noted by ZimEye, the overall EPC cost was trimmed from the original US$172 million down to US$132 million, reflecting falling global solar construction costs over the intervening decade.
Mobilisation and the New Two-Year Deadline
The issuance of the fresh “Notice to Proceed” by ZPC officially places the 100-megawatt project back on the active calendar. Intratrek executive chairman Wilson Manase confirmed that the firm is actively preparing to move personnel and equipment back to the site. “Our mobilisation will encompass site establishment of temporary site facilities and other preparatory activities necessary to position the project for full-scale execution of the subsequent EPC works,” Manase stated, as reported by Nehanda Radio.
Crucially, the revived arrangement introduces a new advance mobilisation payment, though the precise financial terms and amounts have not been publicly disclosed by authorities. To mitigate past concerns regarding financial capability, Intratrek has submitted an advance payment guarantee through its technical partner, CHiNT Electric. Manase assured stakeholders that all required implementation arrangements are now firmly in place.
Yet, skepticism remains widespread among domestic watchdogs and energy analysts. Given that the previous advance payment failed to yield tangible construction progress, the release and transparent utilization of these fresh funds are guaranteed to attract intense oversight.
| Project Milestone | Date / Status | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Award | 2014 | Intratrek wins EPC contract at initial cost of US$172 million. |
| Contract Cancellation | 2018 | ZPC terminates agreement over delayed site mobilisation following a US$5M advance. |
| High Court Ruling | January 2023 | Court rules the original contract remains legally valid. |
| Supreme Court Decision | December 2023 | Appeal dismissed, clearing legal path for project revival. |
| Restated Agreement | March 27, 2025 | Government and Intratrek sign revised contract down to US$132 million. |
| Notice to Proceed | ZPC issues ultimatum for a 24-month completion window. |
Macro-Economic Stakes and Oversight Mechanisms
Beyond the domestic political contours surrounding Wicknell Chivayo—frequently characterized by local media as a businessman closely aligned with ruling-party elites—the Gwanda initiative carries substantial macroeconomic implications. Zimbabwe continues to grapple with acute electricity generation shortfalls, forcing heavy reliance on costly regional power imports and frequent load-shedding that stifles industrial output.
Adding 100 megawatts of solar capacity to the national grid is not merely a local infrastructure goal; it is a vital step toward stabilizing the broader macro-economy and easing foreign currency outflows spent on power procurement from neighboring states. To ensure compliance, the government has mandated that Intratrek submit periodic progress reports directly to the Office of the President and Cabinet, the employer’s representative, and ZPC.
But there is a catch. As historical precedents across developing markets demonstrate, contractual milestones on paper do not automatically translate into energized kilowatt-hours on the ground. With a strict 24-month timeline now governing the site, Intratrek faces an unforgiving clock. Whether this latest chapter finally delivers the long-promised solar plant or simply adds another layer to a protracted procurement saga depends entirely on the rigorous enforcement of these oversight mechanisms.
Ultimately, the renewed Gwanda project stands as a litmus test for infrastructure delivery in Southern Africa. As global markets transition toward renewable energy, the ability to execute utility-scale projects transparently and efficiently remains the true measure of developmental progress. We will continue monitoring the site mobilization and reporting on whether this two-year ultimatum finally brings light to Gwanda.
