Zambia’s renewable energy capacity has received a major boost thanks to a new partnership by Chariot, Total Eren and First Quantum Minerals.
Africa focused transitional energy company Chariot, through its division Chariot Transitional Power, together with Total Eren, a leading France-based renewable energy Independent Power Producer (“IPP”) and First Quantum Minerals (“FQM”), a global mining and metals company, will support the development of a 430 MW solar and wind power project for its mining operations in Zambia.
The flagship project, Chariot says, would complement and expand Zambia’s existing renewable energy capacity and would provide FQM with competitive and sustainable power for its Zambian mining operations, delivering on FQM’s commitment to decarbonisation as it seeks to reduce its carbon footprint by 30% by 2025, and underline its responsible mining credentials.
FQM’s Kansanshi Mine General Manager Anthony Mukutuma, commented: “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.
In line with Zambia’s Vision 2030, the project will further contribute to improving Zambia’s energy-mix, reducing expensive regional power imports and exposure to fuel prices. Major projects such as this underline First Quantum’s responsible mining credentials and are a critical part of its plan to reduce its carbon footprint by 30% by 2025.”
Fabienne Demol, EVP and Global Head of Business Development at Total Eren, commented:
“Together with our partner Chariot, we are pleased to bring our global expertise in solar and wind generation to power FQM’s operations. The combined solar and wind capacity will offer strong complementarity and power generation around the clock, with solar produced during the day and wind mainly at night. The project also represents a natural fit with Zambia’s hydropower resource seasonality; the project’s energy mix reaches its production peak during the dry season when the country is most exposed to droughts. Increasing the share of renewables will improve the country’s carbon footprint and address current and future challenges related to climate change.”
Laurent Coche, Chariot Transitional Power Executive Director, commented:
“We are very excited to be partnering with FQM and Total Eren on this ground-breaking 430 MW project in Zambia. This project further demonstrates Chariot’s commitment to assisting mining companies in Africa transition to renewable energy sources for their operations, with Zambia having an abundance of wind and solar potential. We are delighted to get started on the project, ahead of construction commencing in 2023, and we look forward to providing further updates in due course.”
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