- Zimbabwe Platinum Mines (Zimplats) has begun construction of a 45 MW solar power plant under Phase 2A of its renewable energy programme, marking a major step in the company’s drive toward energy self-sufficiency and reduced reliance on the national grid.
The US$54 million project, currently underway, was detailed in Zimplats’ quarterly report for the period ending 30 September 2025. The mining giant reported spending US$12 million on the development during the quarter, with an additional US$36 million already committed. The plant is expected to be completed in the first half of 2027.
Once operational, the new facility will expand Zimplats’ total installed solar capacity to 80 MW. It builds on the successful commissioning of the company’s first major renewable project — the 35 MW Phase 1A plant — which came online in August 2024. Both developments form part of a broader multi-phase solar programme designed to eventually deliver up to 185 MW of clean energy across Zimplats’ operations.
Distributed Power Africa (DPA Zimbabwe), a subsidiary of the Econet Group, is serving as the engineering, procurement, and construction contractor as well as the operations and maintenance partner. DPA has been working with Zimplats under a long-term framework agreement signed in 2021, with Zimplats funding the projects through its capital expenditure plan.
Electricity generated from the Phase 2A plant will primarily power Zimplats’ mining, smelting, and refining operations in Ngezi and Selous. Any excess generation will be fed into the national grid under a net-metering arrangement with the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC).
The investment aligns with Zimplats’ decarbonisation strategy and supports national renewable energy goals, which encourage large industrial players to adopt on-site power generation. The multi-phase programme is expected to improve power reliability, stabilise production, and reduce carbon emissions across the company’s platinum operations.
“The company commenced implementation of the Phase 2A 45 MW solar plant in the quarter. The project is expected to be completed in the first half of 2027 at a total project cost of US$54 million and will increase total solar generation to 80 MW,” Zimplats said in its quarterly report.
Zimplats says it intends to continue expanding its solar portfolio toward the full 185 MW planned under its partnership with DPA.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
