Zimbabwe’s transition to clean energy continues to gain momentum, with two key mining players—Global Gold Mining (Private) Limited and Lino Manganese Mining (Private) Limited—poised to benefit directly from a new solar project aimed at boosting power supply in the resource-rich Hwange region, Mining Zimbabwe can report.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) has received a fresh application from Lafrica Energy (Private) Limited, which seeks to establish a 25-megawatt (MW) solar photovoltaic (PV) plant in Hwange. According to ZERA, the power generated from this upcoming solar facility will be dedicated to supplying Global Gold and Lino Manganese operations, signalling a growing trend where mining houses are securing their own energy sources amid ongoing national electricity challenges.
“The power generated from the solar plant will be consumed by Global Gold Mining (Private) Limited and Lino Manganese Mining (Private) Limited,” ZERA said in its public notice.
The proposed project will involve the construction of a new 88/33kV substation and a 16-kilometre, 132kV Single Wolf power line that will link the Lafrica Energy Hwange Solar Power Plant to the Hwange Local Substation, further strengthening the regional power infrastructure.
In a parallel development, New Glovers Solar (Private) Limited, another player in Zimbabwe’s renewable space, has approached ZERA with a request to upscale its existing 10MW project at Glovers Farm in Munyati, Kwekwe, to a larger 110MW solar facility. This bold step comes as the original 10MW plant nears 80 percent completion, reflecting investor confidence and the growing appetite for solar as a reliable energy source.
“The amendment has been necessitated by the successful implementation of the first 10MW plant at New Glovers Solar, which is now 80 percent complete, and the appetite by the developers and promoters of the company to continue to aid in the generation of clean energy for the nation at large,” ZERA said.
Zimbabwe has now licensed over 100 Independent Power Producers (IPPs), an encouraging sign of private sector interest in addressing the country’s long-standing electricity deficit. These projects span a wide spectrum of renewable energy options, including hydro, thermal, and biogas, though solar energy dominates—fitting for a country blessed with abundant sunlight throughout the year.
While the licensing numbers are promising, only a handful of these projects are fully operational. Many are still stuck in the pre-implementation phase due to various challenges, ranging from lack of funding and delayed financial closure to technical and regulatory hurdles. Nevertheless, the recent applications by Lafrica Energy and New Glovers Solar suggest a shift, with more developers now prepared to move from paper to power.
For mining operations like Global Gold and Lino Manganese, energy security is not just a preference—it’s a necessity. Power shortages have historically affected mineral production cycles and investor confidence. By tapping into solar, these companies are not only reducing their carbon footprint but also building resilience into their business models.
Zimbabwe’s broader energy vision seeks to diversify away from over-reliance on hydropower and ageing thermal plants. Climate change and reduced rainfall patterns have made dependence on Kariba increasingly untenable. At the same time, the government is pushing for industrial growth and rural electrification—both of which require a stable, sustainable power backbone.
Solar IPPs, especially those backed by offtake agreements with large mining or manufacturing clients, are emerging as viable contributors to this new energy architecture.
The Lafrica Energy project, by serving Global Gold and Lino Manganese, underscores this synergy between clean energy and mining—two of the country’s most critical sectors. And with ZERA’s continued support and clear regulatory frameworks, Zimbabwe might soon start seeing more of these projects breaking ground and lighting up industries.
The future of Zimbabwe’s energy sector is not just in the hands of the government anymore. It’s being shaped by forward-thinking private entities like Lafrica Energy, Global Gold Mining, and New Glovers Solar—proving that when mining and clean energy converge, the results can be transformative.
