Zimbabwe’s critical mining sector is increasingly turning to solar power, spearheading significant growth in renewable energy across the nation. Faced with persistent power shortages and the high cost of diesel generators, major mining operations are investing heavily in solar photovoltaic (PV) plants to ensure stable, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable energy supplies.
This green energy transition is marked by several flagship projects. Platinum giant Zimplats recently commissioned its 35MW solar plant in 2024, the first phase of an ambitious 185MW project. This initial installation is already contributing to the national grid and significantly boosting Zimplats’ reliance on renewable sources.
Similarly, Caledonia Mining Corporation’s Blanket Mine now draws approximately 25% of its daily electricity from its 12MWac solar plant, which became operational in early 2023. The mine has since entered an agreement with CrossBoundary Energy, which acquired the plant and plans its potential expansion, ensuring continued solar power supply to the gold producer.
Further illustrating the trend, Turk Mine has ingeniously converted a rehabilitated tailings dam into a 4.4MW solar farm, enabling the mine to operate largely off-grid during daylight hours. Beyond individual mine efforts, initiatives like the Grid Africa and Huawei partnership are developing a 72MW solar project specifically targeting multiple mining companies, promising substantial operational cost savings and reduced energy import reliance for participants.
These investments are driven by a confluence of factors: the pressing need for reliable power, a desire to cut operational expenditure on expensive diesel, and a growing commitment to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles to attract international investment. The Zimbabwean government’s encouragement of independent power producers and its renewable energy targets are further catalysing this shift, positioning the mining industry as a key driver in the nation’s journey towards a more sustainable energy future.