- International news agency Reuters reports that Impala Platinum Holdings Zimbabwe unit, Zimplats, plans to build two solar power plants with generation capacity of 185 MW.
- The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority said Zimplats, the biggest platinum group metals producer in Zimbabwe applied to build a 105 MW plant at Ngezi, southwest of Harare, where it has mines and two concentrators, and 85 MW at nearby Selous where there is a smelter and concentrator.
Zimplats, which also jointly owns smaller platinum miner Mimosa Mining Company with Sibanye Stillwater, imports its power from Mozambique’s Hydro Cahora Bassa.
Related news: Zimplats issues RFI for 10MW solar plant in South Africa
Zimbabwe’s energy sector relies on power from neighbours Mozambique and South Africa. The country is plagued by ongoing blackouts and load-shedding made worst by defaulting on payments to South Africa’s energy utility, Eskom. Read more
The government expects 100MW of electricity to come from new renewable energy projects by the end of this year and other mining companies are also planning to produce power from solar energy. Read more
The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority did not specify whether the project licence applications have been approve.
Related news: Zimbabwe gold mine to be powered by solar PV
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
Source reference: Reuters
