Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe (PLZ) has commenced work on a colossal 70-megawatt solar power plant. This ambitious project is designed to secure a consistent and sustainable electricity supply for its critical mining and processing operations, marking a significant private-sector investment in Zimbabwe’s power infrastructure.
The decision to construct the solar facility stems from the pressing need to alleviate strain on the national grid, which has been struggling to keep pace with soaring demand from a rapidly growing economy, households, and particularly the energy-intensive mining industry.
The national grid often faces a substantial shortfall, with peak demand reaching up to 2,200MW against a domestic supply capacity of only around 1,400MW. For a company like PLZ, which is a subsidiary of the global battery materials giant Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt, any disruption in power can lead to costly downtime and lost production.
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Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe Builds Massive 70MW Solar Plant
This drive for energy independence is intrinsically linked to PLZ’s expansion into value-added processing. Rather than merely exporting raw lithium concentrates, the company is advancing its own beneficiation capabilities. Central to this strategy is a new US$400 million lithium sulphate plant at its Goromonzi site, which is slated to begin production in the first quarter of 2026. This facility will transform raw material into higher-value lithium sulphate, a process that requires a substantial and reliable power source.
During a recent inspection of the Arcadia Mine, the Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Winston Chitando, underscored the importance of this investment. He stated,
“The tour has revealed a massive construction being carried out by Prospect. They are constructing a 70-megawatt power station. This is coming from the investor’s recognition of the need to augment power supply to the mine and undertake the necessary investments to maintain consistency in power supply.”
A Wider Trend in the Mining Sector
PLZ is far from alone in this endeavour. A growing number of mining and industrial firms are turning to renewable energy solutions to insulate themselves from grid instability and to meet broader sustainability objectives. This trend is actively encouraged by government policy designed to attract Independent Power Producers (IPPs).
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Significant projects are already underway across the country. Zimplats is developing a massive 185MW solar project, with an initial 35MW phase already launched. In Gwanda, Caledonia Mining’s Blanket Mine successfully commissioned a 12.2MW solar plant in 2023, constructed at a cost of approximately US$14 million.
Further examples include Turk Mine in Bubi District, which is effectively running its operations on a 4.4MW solar farm, and the Dinson Iron and Steel Company in Chirumhanzu, which has invested in a 50MW internal generation facility. Even cement producer PPC Zimbabwe has announced plans for two solar plants worth US$40 million (approx. R720 million) with a combined capacity of 30MW.
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The post Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe Builds Massive 70MW Solar Plant To Boost Power Production appeared first on iHarare News.
