Unki to construct solar facility

Zim Now Writer

Shurugwi-based platinum miner Unki Mine is set to construct a 30 to 50 megawatts solar photovoltaic (PV) facility to enhance the provision of alternative power in the face of punishing electricity outages, in the process contributing to global calls for the reduction of carbon emissions.

Anglo American Unki Mines Private Limited (Unki Mine) joins other giant companies such as Caledonia Mining Corporation (CMC) and PPC Zimbabwe that have taken the lead in embracing solar energy.

Many of them want to switch to environmentally friendly power sources in line with the global push.

Confirming the development yesterday, Unki Mines general manager Walter Nemasasi said the solar plant will alleviate power challenges for the mining giant and the community.

“Unki Mines is set to construct a 30 to 50 megawatts solar photovoltaic (PV) facility to enhance the provision of alternative power to the company’s operations and contribute to the Government’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions. Target commissioning is the first half of 2025. Other details will be made available when all agreements are concluded,” said Nemasasi.

On its part, Zimbabwe has pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent by 2050 to avert the catastrophic impacts of climate change.

Zimbabwe is a member of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, whose major objective is to stabilise and bring down greenhouse gas emissions, such as carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide.

While commissioning CMC’s Blanket Mine expansion project last month President Emmerson Mnangagwa commended CMC for installing a solar plant at the Gwanda mine, urging miners and industry to increase internal power generation capacity for their own use.

PPC Zimbabwe, the subsidiary of South African cement manufacturing giant, Pretoria Portland Cement Limited (PPC Ltd.), officially commenced construction of two solar energy plants with a combined energy output of 30 megawatts (MW) to power its Zimbabwe operations.