- Zimplats is adding 45MW of solar capacity at its Selous operation, taking its installed solar capacity to 80MW.
- The company has committed US$54 million to the second phase as industrial users increasingly develop their own power supplies.
Zimplats is expanding its solar generation capacity to 80MW as Zimbabwean and Zambian industrial users increase investment in captive power projects.
The platinum producer commissioned 35MW of solar at its Selous operation in August 2024. Now, the company is constructing a second 45MW phase at a total cost of US$54 million.
Zimplats invested US$12 million in the project by September 2025 and committed a further US$36 million towards construction. Once operational, the second phase will take the company’s installed solar capacity to 80MW.
Zimplats Targets Higher Renewable Energy Use
The expanded solar complex forms part of Zimplats’ plan to build 185MW of renewable generation capacity. At full operation, the project could produce about 110GWh of electricity annually.
Renewable sources supplied 31% of Zimplats’ electricity in its latest reported half-year period. However, drought conditions in Zimbabwe and Zambia reduced hydropower availability and constrained progress towards the company’s 35% renewable-energy target.
Zimplats also imports hydropower directly from Zambia. Therefore, its strategy combines captive solar generation with external renewable power supplies.
Industrial Users Build Their Own Power
Zimplats forms part of a wider group of industrial companies developing their own generation under the Zimbabwe-Zambia power programme.
First Quantum Minerals’ Sentinel mine in Zambia, Eureka’s gold mine, Sable Chemicals and Zambia Sugar have also pursued self-funded generation projects. Meanwhile, these companies continue to rely on national grids when their own facilities cannot meet demand.
Captive generation allows industrial users to consume electricity directly from plants they finance and operate. As a result, the model reduces reliance on third-party power suppliers and can improve payment certainty for project financing.
Hard-currency payments can also reduce foreign-exchange risks for lenders. Consequently, industrial users with significant power demand can develop projects without depending entirely on conventional independent power project structures.
Private Generation Expands In Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe’s power sector has also recorded broader private investment. ZESA acting chief executive Cletus Nyachowe told a parliamentary committee in May that more than 600MW of new generation was under construction across private producers, mining companies and independent developers.
Zhongjin Heli has commissioned the first 100MW phase of a captive generation project. In addition, the 50MW Mapanzure solar project had reached 70% completion, with commissioning planned for June.
The growth of captive generation could reduce pressure on national power systems. At the same time, industrial users will still require reliable transmission networks when their own generation falls short.
Zimplats’ second phase represents the next major industrial solar expansion in Zimbabwe. Once completed, it will take the company’s solar capacity beyond 80MW.