CASE begins work on 600 MW project in Zimbabwe

• 10 years ago (2013-12-13)
• Junior Isles

Africa 320 Asia 892

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China Africa Sunlight Energy (CASE) has begun work on its $1.3 billion, 600 MW thermal power plant and coal mine in Zimbabwe’s Matabeleland north this week, according to local media reports.

The two projects represent the first phase of CASE’s $2.1 billion power facility at the site, set to include a 2200 MW thermal power station, a gas extraction plant and a coal brick factory. Both projects are being funded by the China Exim Bank.

“They (China Exim Bank) are happy, we will be moving to the next stage which is financing and design,” Isaac Chihuri, CASE company secretary, at an energy symposium.

CASE is a 50:50 joint venture between Zimbabwe’s Old Stone Investments and Shandong Taishan Sunlight of China.

Chihuri also confirmed the company had completed exploration work and submitted an environmental impact assessment report for the mine, while a power generation report was pending.

Civil construction work on the coal plant would be commencing in June 2014 and lasting for between 24 and 30 months, Chihuri also confirmed.

“We will see our first unit being hooked to the national grid by December 2016 and the other 300 MW six months later depending on the progress of the project,” he said.

The coal mine is expected to produce 300 million metric tonnes of thermal coal per annum, and have an accompanying coking plant and coal washer set up to increase revenue.

Water for the project is hoped to be supplied by the Gwayi-Shangani dam, and the company has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Zimbabwean finance ministry and water authority assuring completion of construction at the dam.

“Without it there is no project and so we need to put money and effort to make sure the Gwayi-Shangani project is completed,” said Chihuri.