Chariot, Total Eren to Develop 430 MW Wind-Solar Farm for Zambia Mines

Chariot Ltd and Total Eren have signed a deal with Canada-based miner First Quantum Minerals Ltd that will facilitate the construction of a 430 MW renewable power complex to help First Quantums’ mining operations in Zambia. Chariot is an Africa-focused energy firm and Total Eren is a French power producer.

The specific details of the new deal have not been disclosed by the parties, but it is known that the construction of the wind-solar complex will be initiated in 2023. The total investment in the project will be $500 million.

The renewable power generated by the project will be consumed by the copper mines of First Quantum.

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Chariot said that this collaboration would see First Quantum receive electricity from locally-based wind and solar power capacity. The Canadian mining company has set a goal to reduce its carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 30% by 2025.

In November, 2021, Chariot and Total Eren had entered into an agreement, according to which the two companies would jointly originate and develop wind and solar projects for mining customers in Africa.

Anthony Mukutuma, General Manager of Kansanshi Mine owned by First Quantum, said, “The project will offer significant benefits to Zambia, by unlocking some of its world-class renewable potential. It will help the country realise some of its untapped solar and wind resources by attracting large-scale foreign investment and adding significant renewable energy capacity.”

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Most of the power supply in Zambia’s mining sector comes from hydropower plants. The drought situation in the past had hampered the mining industry in the region.

South Africa 

In a similar development, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between EDF Renewables and Anglo American in South Africa for the supply of renewable energy for mining operations of the latter.

Anglo American wants to run its operations 100 per cent on renewable energy by 2030 and the new partnership will build a Regional Renewable Energy Ecosystem (REEE) for the same.

Solar and wind energy will be developed in REEE with a capacity of 3-5GW that will also include storage.