Zimbabwean mines given 2-year window to set up power plants

The Zimbabwean government has mandated that large-scale miners establish their own power generation plants by 2026 to meet the country's rising energy demands. This directive comes in response to projected economic growth, particularly in the mining and smelting sectors, which is expected to push power demand beyond 3,000 megawatts (MW) within two years.

Energy and Power Development Minister, Edgar Moyo, emphasized that the mining sector, especially with the surge in lithium mining and new projects like the US$1.5 billion Dinson Iron and Steel Company, will significantly increase power consumption. The mining sector alone is anticipated to require 2,600MW daily, with agriculture and housing sectors needing 120MW and 500MW respectively.

To address this, the government has approved a policy requiring high-consumption industries, especially ferrochrome miners, to develop their own renewable energy generation plants. This policy aims to distribute the responsibility of power provision between the government and the private sector. Ferrochrome miners have been given a two-year timeframe, starting in 2024, to establish these plants.

Minister Moyo noted that some companies have already begun setting up solar plants, with several projects expected to be commissioned by the end of the year. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to reduce strain on the national grid, allowing the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) to connect more social amenities and new projects to the grid.

Despite recent efforts to boost power output, such as the commissioning of Hwange Units 7 and 8 which added 600MW, Zimbabwe still faces a power deficit of 200MW to 500MW depending on the day. The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) has acknowledged that a diversified energy mix has helped reduce load shedding, as more entities adopt alternative energy sources.