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Chinese Coal Power Expansion in Zimbabwe Sparks Backlash Amid Climate Promises
Hwange, Zimbabwe, – In a development that has raised serious environmental questions, Zhongjin Heli Energy (Private) Limited has applied to the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) to construct, own, operate, and maintain a 300-megawatt coal-fired thermal power plant in Hwange, Matabeleland North. This proposal is promoted as a response to Zimbabwe’s growing electricity demands under the National Development Strategy (NDS-1). But it is sharply at odds with international climate commitments, particularly China’s own pledge to halt funding for new coal projects abroad.
In September 2021, Chinese President Xi Jinping declared at the United Nations General Assembly that China would “not build new coal-fired power projects abroad,” marking a pivotal moment in global climate diplomacy. The statement was part of China’s broader commitment to support green and low-carbon energy development in developing countries and promote a “green recovery” globally.
Yet, Zhongjin Heli’s project approved in principle by ZERA suggests a widening gap between promise and practice.
An Expansion Cloaked in Development
According to ZERA, the proposed thermal plant will connect to the national grid via the Hwange-Sherwood 133kV line and supply electricity to Zhongjin Heli’s private customers. While the government has made it clear that Zimbabwe needs more electricity to power industrial growth and infrastructure expansion under NDS-1, critics argue that such growth must not come at the cost of long-term environmental and health stability.
Zimbabwe has already expanded coal-fired power generation with the commissioning of Hwange Units 7 and 8 in 2023 adding 600MW to the grid. Independent power producers (IPPs) are also contributing small but growing capacities using coal, with 43MW fed into the grid on a recent Monday. Despite these efforts, coal remains a tempting option due to perceived reliability and existing infrastructure.
This trend, however, contradicts the global shift away from fossil fuels.
China’s Coal Dilemma
The Hwange coal project is not the first Chinese coal proposal in Zimbabwe. In 2021, Zhongxin a different Chinese IPP applied for a license and established a 50MW thermal power plant in the same region. These moves expose a loophole in China’s climate pledge: while state banks may reduce direct overseas coal financing, private Chinese firms continue to initiate coal projects abroad, often with the silent endorsement of the state.
A 2024 review by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) indicates that, while China has cut back on the number of coal plants initiated abroad since 2021, several pre-approved or restructured projects are still underway, especially in Africa and Southeast Asia. The Hwange project now stands as a visible symbol of these inconsistencies.
A Just Transition Under Threat
The Africa Just Transition Network (AJTN) has voiced firm opposition to the expansion of coal infrastructure in Zimbabwe, calling it a betrayal of climate justice. The network observes that such developments disproportionately burden frontline communities who are already experiencing the harsh impacts of climate change from erratic rainfall to food insecurity and public health crises. AJTN has previously written about this, condemning the expansion of coal in Zimbabwe by Chinese firms, and the article can be found through the following link.
https://groundwork.org.za/the-expansion-of-coal-power-in-zimbabwe-a-cause-for-concern/
The future must be built on renewable energy, not on the ashes of a coal economy. Zimbabwe should be directing all its policy and financial support toward solar and wind energy solutions, which can provide jobs and energy without compromising our air, water and ecosystems. AJTN is also calling on the Zimbabwean government and Chinese authorities to uphold international climate commitments and protect citizens from the long-term risks of coal dependency.
Energy Alternatives Exist
The claim that coal is Zimbabwe’s only path to energy sufficiency is also being questioned. The country receives ample sunlight and has a vast potential for solar power generation. Solar plants are already being installed by mines, shopping centres and households to complement the national grid supply and reduce load shedding. These initiatives point toward a cleaner and more sustainable energy future if adequately supported by investment and policy.
Moreover, with the global cost of solar panels and battery storage continuing to fall, renewable energy is cheaper than coal. And it comes with zero greenhouse gas emissions, cleaner air and healthier people.
Conclusion
The approval of a new coal-fired plant by a Chinese private firm in Zimbabwe stands in stark contrast to the pledges made by China in 2021 and threatens to undermine Zimbabwe’s commitment to sustainable development. It also calls into question the effectiveness of international climate diplomacy when promises can be circumvented through corporate loopholes.
As Africa faces the dual challenge of development and climate vulnerability, the path forward must prioritize clean energy solutions that serve both people and planet. The voices of local communities and networks like AJTN must not be ignored in the rush to meet short-term power demands with long-term consequences.
Written by: Africa Just Transition Network
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