Staff Writer
Proplastics has announced the successful installation and commissioning of a new solar power plant at its facility.
In its half year financials, the group said the plant is expected to generate approximately 50,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity per month, significantly reducing the company’s reliance on grid power and diesel generators.
The implementation of a substantial solar generation project to mitigate the impact of ongoing and significant load shedding was approved last year.
“With the installation and commissioning of the solar plant now complete, the business is expected to generate about 50,000 kWh of energy per month thus reducing electricity bill and generator fuel consumption. This will result in significant savings which will be reflected in the second half of the year,” Proplastics’ board chairman, Gregory Sebborn, said in the group’s financials.
The firm has been significantly affected by power outages, leading to a notable increase of 23% in its cost of sales due to the use of a generator backup.
Beyond the economic benefits, the solar plant also has significant environmental implications. The plant will reduce Proplastics’ reliance on fossil fuels, contributing to mitigating climate change. Solar energy is a clean and renewable source of power, with no harmful emissions.
Proplastics said the solar project will not only reduce the group’s carbon footprint but will also have a significant positive effect on production costs, as it will be fully integrated into the existing Zesa and generator supply model.
The development comes as a much-needed relief for Proplastics, which has been grappling with a challenging business environment in the first half of the year.
Exchange rate volatility, severe power outages, and the depreciation of the local currency have combined to create a perfect storm of economic challenges.
The El Niño-induced drought has further exacerbated the situation, affecting demand for the group’s products and leading to delays in major projects.
The Zimbabwean government’s reduced activity in water reticulation infrastructure projects has also had a negative impact on the company’s business.
