Lithium producer Prospect to build 70MW solar plant

Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe (PLZ), a subsidiary of China's Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt Limited, has commenced the construction of a 70-megawatt (MW) power station as part of its strategy to strengthen energy security and reduce dependence on the national grid.

The initiative is expected to enhance electricity supply for PLZ's operations while supporting Zimbabwe's broader renewable energy and industrialisation goals. The company, one of the world's leading producers of lithium-ion battery and cobalt materials, is expanding its investment portfolio in Zimbabwe to include both energy and value addition projects.

The new power plant will support PLZ's growing energy needs as it develops a lithium sulphate processing facility designed to convert raw lithium concentrates into higher-value salts. The lithium sulphate plant, currently 75 percent complete, is scheduled for commissioning in the first quarter of 2026 and will produce approximately 60,000 tonnes of lithium sulphate per year.

Once operational, the US$400 million facility in Goromonzi is expected to more than double PLZ's revenue, while reinforcing Zimbabwe's drive to promote beneficiation and curb the export of raw minerals.

Speaking during a recent tour of PLZ's Arcadia Mine near Harare, Mines and Mining Development Minister Winston Chitando commended the company's investment in sustainable energy solutions.

"The tour has revealed massive construction works being undertaken by Prospect. They are constructing a 70-megawatt power station, reflecting the investor's recognition of the need to augment power supply and maintain operational consistency," said Minister Chitando.

Zimbabwe's mining sector continues to invest heavily in renewable energy to ensure reliability amid rising demand, which peaks at around 2,200MW against an available national supply of roughly 1,400MW.

Other major players investing in independent power generation include Zimplats, which is rolling out a 185MW solar project-35MW of which came online in July-Caledonia Mining's Blanket Mine in Gwanda with its 12.2MW solar plant, and Turk Mine's 4.4MW solar facility in Bubi District.

Dinson Iron and Steel Company is also developing a 50MW internal generation capacity, while PPC Zimbabwe has announced plans for two solar plants worth US$40 million, with a combined capacity of 30MW in Colleen Bawn and Bulawayo.

Energy and Power Development Minister July Moyo recently highlighted the Government's broader renewable energy agenda, which includes the Kariba Floating Solar Project, the 22MW Pomona waste-to-energy initiative, and several large-scale solar parks across Matabeleland, Midlands, and Mashonaland West provinces.

These projects align with the Government's Independent Power Producer (IPP) policy framework, which seeks to encourage private-sector participation in energy generation, particularly in the renewable sector.

The combined efforts of PLZ and other key investors underscore a transformative shift towards sustainable power generation in Zimbabwe's industrial and mining sectors, positioning the country to meet both its economic growth and environmental sustainability targets.