Grid Africa, local miners partner to set up 72MW solar plant
GRID Africa has partnered with local miners to develop a 72 Megawatt (MW) solar power plant, which is expected to save the mines over US$9,2 million annually while reducing the country’s energy imports.
The solar energy solutions company, head-quartered in South Africa, operates in Zambia, Kenya and Zimbabwe and its main focus is on promoting renewable energy adoption across the continent.
The company’s co-founder and chief executive officer, Mr Norman Moyo, shared the news on LinkedIn, emphasising the project’s potential to alleviate the mining industry’s high energy costs.
“Grid Africa has successfully secured a project to develop a 72MW solar plant for a number of mines in Zimbabwe.
“This initiative is expected to save the mines over US$9,2 million annually and aims to significantly reduce energy imports for the participating mines,” he said.
Mr Moyo said with the backing of their strategic technology and financing partners, the project is poised to make a significant impact on Zimbabwe’s mining and power generation landscape.
While the specific miners involved in the project have not been disclosed, the partnership highlights Grid Africa’s growing influence in the region’s renewable energy sector.
The company has in the past collaborated with notable local firms such as Varun Beverages and tea producer, Tanganda Limited, setting up solar plants with capacities of 2,5 MW and 1,8 MW, respectively.
This project comes at a critical time when Zimbabwe, like other countries in the region, is experiencing severe power shortages.
These shortages have forced many miners to rely heavily on generators thereby significantly impacting production and economic growth.
In response to the power crisis, several mining companies have already made substantial investments in solar energy.
For instance, platinum group metals (PGM) producer Zimplats has invested US$27 million in a 35MW solar power plant expected to cost US$37 million. This initiative is part of a broader US$1,8 billion investment plan by Zimplats.
Similarly, Caledonia Mining Company has allocated about US$14 million for the development of a 12MW solar plant, which is expected to improve the reliability and sustainability of the mine’s electricity supply while reducing its environmental footprint.
Ferrochrome miners are also constructing a 300MW thermal power plant in Hwange and the first 100MW are expected to come online by mid-2025.-chronicle
