The establishment of a new power generation plant will be a
big boost to the Midlands economy and impact positively on the broader national
development targets.
This comes at a time when the country is experiencing
depressed energy supplies with the power utility, Zesa, implementing load
shedding, which is limiting industry operations.
A few weeks ago, Zesa began implementing rolling power cuts
as a result of low generation capacity at its Kariba and Hwange power plants.
Jinan started operations in Zimbabwe in 2012 and
specialises in the production of ferrosilicon, low and high carbon ferrochrome.
The company’s current capacity utilisation is at 85 percent
with four of its five furnaces with a capacity of 7 000 tonnes per month.
Speaking after a tour of the company’s plant recently,
Midlands Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Owen Ncube
said he was excited about Jinan’s investment in power generation.
“I am pleased to note that Jinan has set its sights on yet
another landmark investment. In April 2024, the company intends to commence
power generation, with a target of producing at least 720 megawatts of
electricity,” he said.
“This is a significant step towards addressing our nation’s
energy requirements.”
Minister Ncube said the Government was fully behind the
initiative and recognises the importance of a reliable and affordable power
supply for the growth and development of industry and the country at large.
He hailed Jinan for being resilient in the face of numerous
challenges in the sector among them depressed prices of ferrochrome products on
the world market.
“The company has demonstrated its commitment to Zimbabwe by
actively engaging in value addition and beneficiation within the ferrochrome
industry,” he said.
“The company has remained an economic confidence-building
reference point in the Second Republic’s efforts aimed at attracting foreign
direct investment in mining and manufacturing as the company’s operations
confirm that Zimbabwe is indeed open for business,” said Minister Ncube.
Jinan-Almid, which was established in Zimbabwe in 2012
through the close collaboration and friendship that exists between Zimbabwe and
China, employs 1 120 workers.
Meanwhile, Minister Ncube also toured Drawlink Private
Limited, which is renowned nationally for road, dam and bridge construction.
He applauded Drawlink for contributing immensely to job
creation, technology transfer, skills development and provision of key products
in the construction industry.
The company, which started operations in 2005, has invested
US$450 000 towards procurement and installation of an asphalt plant. Herald
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