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President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa is today officially commissioning the first phase of Zimplats’ 35MW solar power project in Selous, a landmark development that is being celebrated as one of Zimbabwe’s most significant energy achievements in recent years.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
The plant, which will ultimately contribute 185MW when fully complete, is not just a victory for Zimplats, but a signal that Zimbabwe’s mining industry is increasingly taking responsibility for its own energy needs and carbon footprint.
In a recent announcement by the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Hon. Dr Jenfan Muswere, Zimplats’ solar plant was listed among 11 successful energy infrastructure projects implemented across the country, spanning thermal, solar, and mini-grid technologies.
But Zimplats stands out — not just because of its size, but because it is the only one among the 11 being commissioned by the President himself, underlining the project’s national significance.
The solar farm, situated at Selous in Chegutu District, Mashonaland West, has already started feeding into Zimplats’ operations and is expected to ease demand on the national grid. This is part of the company’s broader strategy to deploy 185MW of renewable energy to support its mining and processing activities.
According to a Zimplats statement, the next phases of the solar rollout will include additional sites to reach full capacity. This comes at a time when the company is also finalising its US$521 million base metal refinery and ramping up smelter commissioning, positioning itself as a leading example of beneficiation and ESG leadership in Zimbabwe.
“The commissioning of the first phase of Zimplats’ solar project reflects the company’s commitment to decarbonisation, energy security, and sustainable mining,” Zimplats said.
The Bigger Picture: Energy Milestones Across Zimbabwe
Zimplats’ solar development was named alongside ten other successful energy projects across the country. These include thermal power plants in Hwange, Buhera, Beitbridge, and Mvuma; community mini-grids in Gutu and Gokwe North; and new solar stations in Guruve and Kwekwe. Notably, the 10MW New Glovers Solar Plant in Kwekwe, also highlighted by ZERA, is one of the few IPP projects nearing full implementation.
While not all of these projects have received high-profile commissioning events, their cumulative impact signals a shift in Zimbabwe’s power generation landscape — particularly as private players take on more responsibility in addressing electricity deficits.
According to the government, these projects contribute towards stabilising power supply, supporting industrial growth, and bringing clean energy to off-grid communities.
But in truth, it’s the mining industry that is pushing the real transition. From Zimplats to Caledonia to Prospect Lithium, miners are no longer waiting for the ZESA switch to power their ambitions. They’re building their own.
Mining Leading the Clean Energy Push
Zimplats’ bold investment into solar energy comes as the mining sector continues to face load-shedding disruptions, rising costs of diesel, and global investor pressure for cleaner operations. As one of the top contributors to Zimbabwe’s GDP, the mining industry has been forced to think beyond just extracting minerals and towards sustaining operations through innovation and resilience.
With over US$1.8 billion already invested in its Zimbabwe operations, Zimplats’ solar rollout is part of a broader infrastructure agenda that includes the new concentrator, smelter upgrades, and its long-awaited base metal refinery.
This isn’t charity, it’s strategic survival. And it’s ESG with teeth.
A Message for the Country: This Is Possible
Today’s commissioning by President Mnangagwa is more than just a ribbon-cutting ceremony. It is a national message — that with the right policy framework and private sector commitment, Zimbabwe can light up its industries, rural areas, and future using its own hands.
It also challenges other sectors — agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing — to follow suit and take energy development into their own hands.
But let’s be clear: without serious investment protection, quicker approvals, and stable economic fundamentals, many of these good stories risk remaining isolated headlines.
What Zimplats Has Done Right:
Forward-thinking: They didn’t wait for the government or ZESA to fix the power crisis.
Environmental focus: This is clean energy, ESG-compliant, and investor-attracting.
Scalability: The full plan is for 185MW — enough to power small towns.
Integration: The solar farm is linked to beneficiation projects like the smelter and BMR.
Zimbabwe Can Power Its Own Future
Zimplats has shown what is possible when vision meets capital and commitment. Other companies must follow. The government must continue to create space for the private sector to lead. And communities — both rural and urban — must benefit.
Because energy is not just about electricity. It’s about empowerment.
And today, Zimbabwe has taken a bold step forward.
