Source: Mining sector powers ahead with 280MW energy projects – herald
Rutendo Nyeve, Victoria Falls Reporter
ZIMBABWE’S mining sector is no longer just a consumer of energy but has transformed into an active co-developer of energy infrastructure, pumping in million of dollars into new power generation projects to secure its own operations while strengthening national and regional energy security.
This comes as Zimbabwe is experiencing an unprecedented mining renaissance, driven by its vast mineral portfolio including lithium, gold, platinum, chrome and diamonds.
Riding on the enhanced policy incentives and ease of doing business ushered by the Second Republic led by President Mnangagwa, the growth of the mining sector, alongside other key productive sectors such as manufacturing industry, has created massive demand for power, with the mining sector alone requiring an additional 2 000MW to meet its expansion targets.
This has seen several leading mining companies taking bold steps to pioneer new integrated energy investment projects, a majority of them being in renewable energy and are already operational, thereby easing the burden of supply from the power utility, Zesa.
Minister of Energy and Power Development, July Moyo, commended this drive while speaking at the 2025 Africa Down Under Mining Conference in Perth, Australia on Friday.
“This reality has redefined the relationship between mining and energy. No longer is mining simply a consumer, it’s now a co-developer of energy infrastructure, investing in power generation to secure operations while strengthening national and regional energy security,” said Minister Moyo.
For instance, he noted how Zimplats is rolling out a 185MW solar power project, described as one of the largest private renewable energy initiatives in Southern Africa.
Caledonia Mining’s Blanket Mine in Gwanda set the pace when it commissioned a 12,2MW solar plant in 2023, built at a cost of about US$14 million and Turk Mine in Bubi District followed suit with its 4,4MW solar farm, which is now powering its operations.
At the massive Manhize Dinson Iron and Steel Company in Chirumhanzu District, the investor has developed an internal generation capacity of 50MW.
Cement producer, PPC Zimbabwe is also implementing its US$40 million project to build two solar power plants with a combined 30MW capacity to enhance energy supply to its cement factories at Colleen Bawn (20MW) and Bulawayo (10MW).
“These are not isolated projects, they represent a shift towards captive power generation, hybrid energy solutions, and surplus integration into the national grid,” said Minister Moyo.Beyond industry-led initiatives, the Government has a deliberate strategy to expand capacity that is not limited to mining sites.
In that regard, Minister Moyo outlined a broader renewable energy agenda, including the innovative Kariba Floating Solar Project, the 22MW Pomona Waste-to-Energy Project, and large-scale solar parks in Matabeleland, Midlands, and Mashonaland West province being developed by Independent Power Producers (IPPs). Minister Moyo also highlighted that Zimbabwe’s energy strategy is regional in scope, leveraging the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP).
“Energy security is no longer a national agenda, it is regional,” he said.
“Zimbabwe is strengthening cross-border transmission with its neighbours exploiting the existence of the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP), which is a regional electricity trading platform.”
Minister Moyo detailed the synergies between mining and energy within the SAPP framework where mines can feed excess power into the regional grid and mineral processing plants can access stable, cross-border electricity.
To realise this vision, the Government is actively courting investors, offering a clear roadmap through its National Energy Compact.
The goal is to reach 5 432MW of generation capacity by 2030, with 2 640MW coming from renewables, requiring a US$9 billion investment, 70 percent of which is expected from the private sector.
Meanwhile, Minister Moyo invited global investors to seize the opportunities available, which include captive power generation, utility-scale renewable projects, grid modernisation, and the development of energy-mineral industrial parks.
“Zimbabwe is indeed open for business. Our mining boom is an energy opportunity, and our energy transformation is an investment gateway.
“We invite you to come and invest and build power plants next to mines, establish beneficiation hubs next to mineral deposits, and create regional energy corridors that power the future of African industry,” he said.
Minister Moyo said Zimbabwe is a future energy hub for the region, offering investors access to a market of over 300 million people through SAPP, bankable projects, and government-backed guarantees.
“We are not just seeking financiers, we’re inviting partners who will bring capital, technology, and expertise to co-create the energy and mining ecosystem of the future,” he said.
“Zimbabwe is open for business. The opportunity is now. Together, let’s light up Zimbabwe, power Southern Africa, and fuel the world’s clean energy revolution.”
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