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RioZim has stated that the development of its power projects is progressing despite setbacks.
- The Mining company intends to deploy solar power plants at four of its mines.
- Excess energy will be sold to the state grid.
Mining company RioZim Limited has stated that the development of its energy projects, the 2 800MW Sengwa Power Station and the 178 MW Solar projects, are progressing well. This is despite financing challenges and delays in the power purchasing agreements with the state utility company, Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC).
The company said it had received four Independent Power Producer (IPP) licences for its solar farms at Cam & Motor Mine, Renco Mine, Dalny Mine and Murowa Diamonds Mine. The plants are intended for self-use with excess energy to be sold to ZETDC.
RioZim, in 2018 signed a Contract with China Gezhouba Group International Engineering Corporation (CGGC) for the construction of the four projects. The plants will have a cumulative generation capacity of 178MW and are expected to cost US$ 210 million.
RioZim believes that the projects will improve the company’s gold and diamond production activities and cut the inefficiencies that result due to erratic supply from the grid.