PLZ Builds 70MW Solar Plant to Power Lithium Value-Addition Strategy in Zimbabwe Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe (PLZ) has commenced ...
PLZ Builds 70MW Solar Plant to Power Lithium Value-Addition Strategy in Zimbabwe
Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe (PLZ) has commenced construction on a 70-megawatt (MW) solar power plant, a strategic investment to ensure energy security for its new processing facilities and align with Zimbabwe's push for mineral beneficiation.
A Strategic Push for Energy Security
The 70MW solar plant is a direct response to Zimbabwe's chronic energy deficit. The national grid's fluctuating capacity of approximately 1,400MW struggles to meet a peak demand of 2,200MW. For an energy-intensive operation like lithium refining, this shortfall presents a critical operational risk. By developing its own utility-scale power plant, PLZ ensures a consistent power supply, safeguarding its production schedules from the unpredictability of the national grid.
Powering a Value-Addition Powerhouse
This solar investment is the critical enabler for PLZ's US$400 million lithium sulphate plant in Goromonzi. Now 75% complete, this facility is central to the company's and the government's goal of moving up the value chain by processing raw lithium concentrates into high-value battery materials locally. The plant is set to produce 60,000 tonnes of lithium sulphate annually from Q1 2026, an operation that requires the stable and substantial power the new solar farm will provide.
PLZ's strategy aligns with Zimbabwe’s policy to promote local beneficiation, which saw a ban on the export of raw lithium ore in 2022. During a recent tour, Mines Minister Winston Chitando praised the investment, stating, "This is coming from the investor’s recognition of the need to augment power supply... and undertake the necessary investments to maintain consistency." The project also leverages the government's Independent Power Producer (IPP) policy, designed to attract private capital into the energy sector.
A Growing Trend in African Mining
PLZ's project is part of a broader trend of major industrial players in Zimbabwe and across sub-Saharan Africa turning to renewable energy. This strategic shift allows companies to de-risk their operations from grid instability and control long-term energy costs. Other notable examples in Zimbabwe include:
- Zimplats: Developing a 185MW solar project, with 35MW already commissioned.
- Caledonia Mining: Operating a 12.2MW solar plant at its Blanket Mine.
- Dinson Iron and Steel Company: Investing in a 50MW internal generation facility.
- PPC Zimbabwe: Announcing plans for 30MW of solar capacity for its cement factories.
Frequently Asked Questions
PLZ is constructing a 70-megawatt (MW) solar power plant to provide electricity for its lithium mining and processing operations in Goromonzi, Zimbabwe.
The plant is essential for ensuring a reliable and sustainable power supply to PLZ's new US$400 million lithium sulphate plant. It mitigates the risks associated with Zimbabwe's national power grid, which is currently facing a significant supply deficit.
Beneficiation is the process of treating raw mineral ore to improve its properties and increase its value before export. In this case, PLZ will convert raw lithium concentrates into higher-value lithium sulphate, a key material for batteries, which aligns with government policy to maximize export revenues.
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