Surrey Group, a prominent privately-owned livestock and agriculture enterprise in Zimbabwe, is investing in a significant 1.8 MW solar power project to ensure consistent power supply for its abattoirs and retail outlets located in Marondera. This strategic move comes as a direct response to the unreliable electricity provision from the national power utility, ZESA, which has posed challenges in maintaining the crucial cold chain necessary for delivering safe food products to consumers.
Like many other businesses across Zimbabwe, Surrey Group has opted for solar energy as a dependable backup solution amidst the national power utility’s struggle to meet the country’s electricity demand. The company has confirmed that its newly established solar plant has been successfully net-metered by the ZETDC, allowing for the potential to feed excess generated power back into the national grid.
A representative from Surrey Group highlighted the company’s enthusiasm for the new solar plant, expressing confidence that this initiative will significantly enhance power efficiency and provide substantial operational advantages through reduced energy costs. Furthermore, the investment is expected to guarantee a more continuous and stable power supply, crucial for sustaining the company’s daily operations across its abattoirs and shops.
The decision to invest in renewable energy was driven by the escalating costs associated with relying on diesel generators as a primary backup power source. With daily power requirements reaching approximately 1 MW, the erratic nature of ZESA’s supply made a transition to a more sustainable and cost-effective solution imperative.
Surrey Group’s solar installation spans roughly two hectares, directly feeding power to its beef and chicken abattoirs and its network of retail shops. On sunny days, the solar plant is capable of meeting 100% of the company’s power demands, ensuring uninterrupted operations.
In the event of cloud cover or reduced solar generation, the company will utilize ZESA’s grid or its existing generators as supplementary backup systems, ensuring a consistent and reliable power supply for its critical food processing and distribution activities.
The investment underscores Surrey Group’s commitment to operational efficiency, cost management, and ensuring the consistent delivery of safe food products to the Zimbabwean public.