Chariot Transitional Power, a division of Chariot Limited, and Total Eren, France-based renewable energy Independent Power Producer (IPP), has entered into a partnership with First Quantum Minerals (FQM) to develop a 430MW solar and wind power project in Zambia
This project 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.”
Fabienne Demol, executive vice president 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.”
Laurent Coche, Chariot transitional power executive director, commented, “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.”
