[Ferro-Alloys.com] 

Govt to wean ferrochrome producers from Zesa grid

Government has given ferrochrome producers until December 2025 to establish their own power plants, a development expected to relieve pressure on the national grid.

Zimbabwe presently generates about 1 094 megawatts (MW) against a peak demand of 2 200MW.

The country’s power challenges have been exacerbated by the extremely low water level at Kariba Dam following the drought that hit the southern African region in the 2023/2024 rainy season.

The mining industry is one of the key sectors in Zimbabwe and consumes about 25 percent of the energy produced in the country.

Energy and Power Development Minister Edgar Moyo told The Herald Finance and Business on Monday this week that presently the ferrochrome producers were on energy subsidy, but because this arrangement was not sustainable, ferrochrome smelters would be required to establish their own solar power plants.

“An agreement was made between the companies (ferrochrome) producers and Zesa to the effect that by December 2025, the ferrochrome smelters will be on self-supply.

• [Editor:邢亚敏]