Published: 05 May 2025

Leading agro-processing company Surrey Group has rolled out a 1.8 megawatt (MW) solar energy project aimed at providing reliable power to its abattoirs and retail shops in Marondera, in a major step towards renewable energy adoption in Zimbabwe's agriculture sector.

The company said the move was driven by the need to safeguard its cold chain systems and ensure uninterrupted food processing amid worsening electricity supply disruptions from the national utility, Zesa.

Surrey Group chairperson Philip de Chassart confirmed the development, saying the solar project has been net-metered by the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC), enabling it to both draw from and feed excess power into the national grid.

"The solar plant is new and we are excited about it. We are pretty sure this initiative will enhance power efficiency, bring operational cost savings, and ensure more continuous power to sustain our business," said de Chassart.

He noted that Surrey's operations  -  particularly in beef and poultry processing  -  require at least 1MW of power daily, and reliance on diesel-powered generators had become financially unsustainable.

"We looked at the cost of diesel, and it was becoming too expensive to sustain the business. Zesa has been unreliable for our operations, so we've decided to invest in renewable energy," he said.

The new solar farm spans roughly two hectares and provides power to Surrey's beef and chicken abattoirs, as well as its retail shops. On bright days, the plant is capable of meeting 100% of the company's power needs, with Zesa or backup generators only required during overcast periods.

The solar investment places Surrey Group among a growing number of Zimbabwean firms pivoting to clean energy solutions as load shedding and grid unreliability continue to affect industrial productivity.

The agriculture and manufacturing sectors have been hit particularly hard by inconsistent power supply, with many companies turning to solar to stabilise operations and reduce overhead costs.

Surrey's initiative also aligns with broader national and global calls for climate-resilient, sustainable energy practices.
- newsday

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