The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) granted earlier this month two licenses for solar PV plants to Zimplats, the Zimbabwean unit of Impala Platinum.
Zimplats is now cleared to construct, own, operate and maintain a 105 MW solar photovoltaic power plant at Ngezi Mine in Mhondoro in Zimbabwe’s Mashonaland West Province. The other licence is for an 80 MW solar photovoltaic power plant at the company’s Selous Mine in Chegutu, in the same province.
The ZERA notices specified that the object of the licenses was for generation and supply of electricity for own consumption by the mines “but connected to the grid.”
Zimbabwe has suffered a long-standing deficit in power generation. It currently generates a total of 1,055 MW against a demand estimated at 1,650 MW. The shortfall is made up through imports from South Africa and Mozambique, but this option is complicated by Zimbabwe’s precarious foreign exchange situation and inability to pay for the power, not to mention disruptions in South African generation.
As a result, Zimbabwe has to often impose load shedding – to the detriment of both the mining industry and consumers. With diesel costing $1.38 per liter, it is not economical for mines to run their operations using generators.
Unsurprisingly, miners in Zimbabwe have turned to renewable sources such as solar PV.
The two solar plants are estimated to cost Zimplats as much as $201 million.
Source: fin24
Images of Ngezi Concentrator Plant: Zimplats