Jinan Group's Almid Private Limited has reached 60% completion on a 20MW solar power plant in Gweru, Zimbabwe, according to The Herald. The facility is designed to supplement grid electricity for the group's ferrochrome operations and ease pressure on the national grid. It forms part of a US$140 million energy investment plan, which also includes construction of a 100MW captive power plant targeted for completion by the end of 2027.
Jinan Group currently operates five ferrochrome furnaces requiring about 50MW at full capacity. The 20MW solar plant is expected to cover roughly 40% of that demand, while the planned 100MW captive plant is intended to fill the remaining gap and provide additional capacity. Zimbabwe's Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr Zhemu Soda, and Permanent Secretary Nick Mangwana toured the project as part of an assessment of development projects in Midlands Province.