Total Eren, Chariot to build Karo solar plant
BUSINESS REPORTER
Total Eren, a leading renewable energy independent power producer and Chariot have teamed in the development, financing, construction, and operation of a solar photovoltaic (PV) project at Karo Platinum.
The solar PV project is expected to have an initial installed capacity of 30 MWp with a potential extension of up to 300 MWp. Construction of the Karo Platinum Mine has commenced, as marked today during an official ceremony in the presence of the Minister of Mines and Mining Development, minister Winston Chitando, the two companies said in a statement.
Total Eren and Karo Mining Holdings have previously signed a Memorandum of Understanding as the first step towards implementation and signing of a long-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for the supply of electricity.
Karo and the Partners will now pursue the next steps of development of the PV project.
Fabienne Demol, Executive Vice-President & Global Head of Business Development of Total Eren, said: “We are very pleased to partner again with Chariot on a new renewable energy project dedicated to the mining sector. Our solar project will enable the Karo Platinum Mine to be supplied in low carbon electricity during its operating life, therefore reducing its carbon footprint and generating a competitive source of electricity supply in Zimbabwe. I look forward to delivering this solar project and wish to start even more renewable energy projects in this country where our strategic shareholder, TotalEnergies, holds a strong footprint.”
Benoit Garrivier, Chariot Transitional Power CEO, added: “In partnering with Total Eren on this project, we advance towards our objective of delivering a 1 GW renewable energy pipeline and developing some of the largest sustainable power projects in Africa.”
Karo Mining Holdings MD Bernard Pryor said green power was always placed at the forefront of the energy strategy as part of “our sustainable development plan”
“Land designated to develop this type of power strategy has been allocated, close to the Karo Mine but also mindful of a broader power strategy that we will develop with our partners and the government of Zimbabwe, to ensure stable and lasting green energy benefitting all our stakeholders and beyond,” Pryor said.
