REA continues to fulfil its mandate of providing reliable and sustainable electricity to rural areas across the country.
By Brenda Mazhambe
GANDAVAROYI, Gokwe North – The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) says all is in place for the commissioning and switch-on of the 96-kilowatt Gandavaroyi Community Solar Mini-Grid Project, with the official ceremony scheduled for 10 June 2026.
The ceremony marks another milestone in Government’s drive to accelerate rural electrification and improve livelihoods through renewable energy.
Implemented by the REA under the Rural Electrification Fund, the solar mini-grid project is designed to provide reliable and sustainable electricity to village homesteads, business shops, the Campfire Hall, a clinic, as well as a primary and secondary school, bringing modern energy services closer to communities that have long relied on traditional energy sources.
The project has an installed generation capacity of 96kW and forms part of Government’s broader strategy of expanding access to clean and affordable energy while promoting rural industrialisation and socio-economic transformation.
Speaking during a tour of the completed facility ahead of the official switch-on, REA officials expressed satisfaction with the state of preparedness, indicating that all major infrastructure has been completed and the project is ready for commissioning.
“The Gandavaroyi Community Solar Mini-Grid Project stands ready for commissioning and represents another important milestone in Government’s commitment to ensuring that no community is left behind in the national electrification programme. The facility will provide reliable electricity to households and key public institutions, while creating opportunities for income-generating projects and improved service delivery,” the officials said.
They added that access to dependable electricity would strengthen education through improved learning environments, enhance healthcare delivery at the local clinic, stimulate business growth and improve the quality of life for the surrounding communities.
“The project demonstrates Government’s continued investment in renewable energy solutions that are environmentally sustainable and economically viable. Electrification remains a key enabler of Vision 2030 as communities gain access to productive energy that supports agriculture, commerce, education and health services,” they said.
The Gandavaroyi project joins a growing number of community solar mini-grids being rolled out across Zimbabwe under the Rural Electrification Agency as Government intensifies efforts to extend electricity to remote areas where connection to the national grid is not immediately feasible.
