Wicknell Chivayo Given 24-Month Ultimatum to Complete Gwanda Solar Project

The Zimbabwe Power Company has issued a formal Notice to Proceed for the long-delayed 100-megawatt Gwanda solar project, granting controversial businessman Wicknell Chivayo’s Intratrek Zimbabwe a fresh 24-month deadline to complete the infrastructure. According to regional reports, the government agreement follows years of legal battles, contract cancellations, and a previous advance payment dispute that stalled the multimillion-dollar energy initiative.

Under the renewed arrangement, Intratrek is set to receive another advance mobilisation payment from the Zimbabwean government, though exact financial terms have not been publicly disclosed, according to coverage by Nehanda Radio. Site works will commence once the advance funds are released. Intratrek executive chairman Wilson Manase confirmed that the company is preparing to mobilise personnel and equipment.

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 said, as reported by Nehanda Radio and Zimeye. Manase also stated that the company submitted an advance payment guarantee through technical partner CHiNT Electric.

Legal Battles and Project History

The Gwanda solar development carries a troubled procurement history dating back to 2014, when the government awarded Intratrek the contract at an initial Engineering, Procurement and Construction cost of $172 million after the firm emerged as the lowest bidder. Intratrek subsequently received a $5 million advance payment. However, ZPC cancelled the contract in 2018, arguing that the contractor failed to start construction on time despite receiving the funds.

Intratrek challenged the cancellation in court, arguing that Zimbabwe’s sovereign risk profile hindered its financing efforts. The High Court ruled in January 2023 that the contract remained valid, and the Supreme Court dismissed ZPC’s appeal in December 2023. The government and Intratrek then signed a revised agreement on March 27, 2025, reducing the EPC cost from $172 million to $132 million to reflect falling global solar construction costs.

Oversight and Power Generation Goals

The renewed contract places the project under strict monitoring. Government directives require Intratrek to submit periodic progress reports to the Office of the President and Cabinet, the employer’s representative, and ZPC to ensure compliance with milestones.

The 100MW solar plant aims to bolster Zimbabwe’s domestic power generation capacity and ease heavy reliance on electricity imports. While executive chairman Wilson Manase maintains that implementation arrangements are secured, the project faces renewed public scrutiny given its history of delays and previous failures to materialize following early government disbursements.