Zhongjin Heli Energy power station
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Zhongjin Heli Energy power station is an operating power station of at least 100-megawatts (MW) in Hwange, Matabeleland North, Zimbabwe with multiple units, some of which are not currently operating.
Location
Table 1: Project-level location details
| Plant name | Location | Coordinates (WGS 84) |
|---|---|---|
| Zhongjin Heli Energy power station | Hwange, Matabeleland North, Zimbabwe | -18.366733, 26.575059 (exact)[1] |
Unit-level coordinates (WGS 84):
- Unit 1, Unit 2: -18.366733, 26.575059
Project Details
Table 2: Unit-level details
| Unit name | Status | Fuel(s) | Capacity (MW) | Technology | Start year | Emergency/Backup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unit 1 | Operating[2] | coal: unknown[1] | 100[2] | unknown | 2025[2] | False |
| Unit 2 | Construction[3] | coal: unknown[1] | 135[2] | unknown | 2026 (planned)[4] | False |
Table 3: Unit-level ownership and operator details
| Unit name | Owner | Parent |
|---|---|---|
| Unit 1 | Zhongjin Heli Energy Pvt Ltd [100%][1] | Zhongjin Heli Energy Pvt Ltd [100.0%] |
| Unit 2 | Zhongjin Heli Energy Pvt Ltd [100%][1] | Zhongjin Heli Energy Pvt Ltd [100.0%] |
Project-level captive use details
Ownership Tree
This ownership tree is part of the Global Energy Ownership Tracker, a project of Global Energy Monitor.
Background
In the second quarter of 2023, Zhongjin Heli Energy (Pvt) reportedly proposed to invest US$400 million in coal mining and thermal power generation in Matabeleland North.[5][6]
In July 2024, Zimbabwe’s Chronicle reported that Zhongjin Heli Energy had applied to the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) to construct, own, and operate a 300 MW coal-fired power station in Hwange. The coal plant would reportedly supply power to Zhongjin Heli Energy’s “private customers.”[7]
As of December 2024, ZERA reportedly expected the power station to be completed by the end of March 2025.[8]
According to reporting from April 2025, Zhongjin Heli was building a coke oven plant in addition to a power plant in Matabeleland North. The project was expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2025.[9]
ZERA’s 2024 annual report, which appeared to be published in August 2025, indicated that the Zhongjin Heli power station was under construction.[10]
According to reporting from September 2025, the Minister of Mines and Mining Development said that the power station would have a total capacity of 235 MW, and 100 MW was already supplying the national grid.[11]
As of May 2026, construction on Unit 2 was reportedly 45% complete. The unit was expected to be online by September 2026.[12] Planet satellite imagery appeared to show construction progress and exhaust coming from one of the smokestacks.
Financing
In the second quarter of 2023, Zhongjin Heli Energy (Pvt) reportedly proposed to invest US$400 million in coal mining and thermal power generation in Matabeleland North.[5][13] According to reporting from September 2025, the wider industrial park developed by ZhongJin Heli was valued at US$500 million, while the power plant was reported to be worth US$300 million once fully operational.[14] No lender, debt package, financial close date, or disbursement schedule has been reported.
Opposition
In October 2025, five villagers from the Diki community in the Hwange Rural District were arrested after protesting Zhongjin Heli Energy for their alleged attempt to draw water from a local dam without consulting the community. Villagers were reportedly concerned that Zhongjin Heli Energy’s project would worsen ongoing water shortages. According to the Diki Village Head, Zhongjin Heli had received approval from the Zimbabwe National Water Authority to extract water for the power station.[15]
Articles and Resources
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 https://www.chronicle.co.zw/power-firm-seeks-to-establish-thermal-plant/.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "US$500M coal industrial park for Hwange". The Chronicle. 2025-09-26. Archived from the original on 2025-11-04.
- ↑ "2024 Annual Report" (PDF). Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority. 2025-08. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2025-09-04.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ↑ https://www.zimbabwesituation.com/news/mines-ipps-drive-635mw-new-energy-capacity/.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ 5.0 5.1 “Quarter Two Report 2023,” Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency, July 2023
- ↑ “China maintains stranglehold on Zim,” Business Times, July 13, 2023
- ↑ “Power firm seeks to establish thermal plant,” The Chronicle, July 30, 2024
- ↑ “Zimbabwe-Zambia join forces to discuss power shortages,” The Sun Newspaper, December 3, 2024
- ↑ “Matabeleland North eyes 4pc GDP growth as investments rise,” The Chronicle, April 2, 2025
- ↑ “2024 Annual Report,” Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority, August 2025
- ↑ “US$500M coal industrial park for Hwange,” The Chronicle, September 26, 2025
- ↑ “Mines, IPPs drive 635MW new energy capacity,” Zimbabwe Situation, May 15, 2026
- ↑ “China maintains stranglehold on Zim,” Business Times, July 13, 2023
- ↑ “US$500M coal industrial park for Hwange,” The Chronicle, September 26, 2025
- ↑ “Hwange villagers protest Chinese firm’s move to extract dam water,” Centre for Innovation & Technology, October 3, 2025
Additional data
To access additional data, including an interactive map of coal-fired power stations, a downloadable dataset, and summary data, please visit the Global Coal Plant Tracker on the Global Energy Monitor website.
