Prestige power station
| Part of the Global Coal Plant Tracker, a Global Energy Monitor project. |
| Related coal trackers: |
Prestige power station is a power station under construction in Beitbridge, Matabeleland South, Zimbabwe.
Location
Table 1: Project-level location details
| Plant name | Location | Coordinates (WGS 84) |
|---|---|---|
| Prestige power station | Beitbridge, Matabeleland South, Zimbabwe | -22.121243, 29.863446 (approximate)[1] |
The map below shows the approximate location of the power station.
Project Details
Table 2: Unit-level details
| Unit name | Status | Fuel(s) | Capacity (MW) | Technology |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unit 1 | Construction[2] | coal: unknown[1] | 600[2][1] | unknown |
| Unit 2 | Construction[2] | coal: unknown[1] | 600[2][1] | unknown |
Table 3: Unit-level ownership and operator details
| Unit name | Owner | Parent |
|---|---|---|
| Unit 1 | Prestige Massive Pvt Ltd [100%][1] | Prestige Massive Pvt Ltd [100.0%] |
| Unit 2 | Prestige Massive Pvt Ltd [100%][1] | Prestige Massive Pvt Ltd [100.0%] |
Project-level captive use details
Background
In December 2022, Zimbabwe’s Chronicle reported that Xintai Resources was planning to build a power and metallurgical special economic zone (SEZ) in Beitbridge, Matabeleland South, that would include a ferrochrome smelting plant and a thermal power plant. The power plant would reportedly supply the SEZ and send surplus power to the national grid. The power plant’s capacity was not reported at the time.[3]
In November 2023, Prestige Massive (Pvt) Limited proposed to construct, own, and operate a 1,200 MW captive coal-fired power plant at River Ranch in Beitbridge town. Contrasting with earlier reports,[3] all electricity generated would reportedly be supplied to Xintai Resources’ ferrochrome smelting plant. Prestige had filed an application for an electricity generation license with the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA).[4]
According to reporting from July 2024, the power plant would have two generators and was under construction.[5] Photographs of the apparent site from August 2024 appeared to show construction activity. The power plant was expected to be supplied by the Tuli Coal Mine 20 km west of Beitbridge.[5]
Zimbabwe Investment and Development approved the project under the SEZ in 2024 with the investment into the 1,200MW plant by Prestige Massive Limited and Xintai Resources.[6][7] The government established new rules for SEZs aiming to stimulate investment. The project is estimated to cost USD 1.2 billion over 10 years.[6]
As of March 2025, it was unclear whether the Prestige power station was related to a 100 MW thermal power station proposed by Xintai Resources for the Palm River Energy Metallurgical Industrial Park, also located 20 km west of Beitbridge. From October 2024 to February 2025, news articles on the Palm River industrial park referred to a 1,200 MW coal plant and a 2 x 50 MW thermal power plant.[8][9][10] Other articles referred to a 1,200 MW solar plant or “green power” and a 100 MW thermal power plant at the industrial park.[11][12]
Financing
Zimbabwe Investment and Development approved the project under the SEZ in 2024 with the investment into the 1,200MW plant by Prestige Massive Limited and Xintai Resources.[6][7] The government established new rules for SEZs aiming to stimulate investment. The project is estimated to cost USD 1.2 billion over 10 years.[6] As per July 2024 report, "a government official speaking on conditions of anonymity said lots of money for the project was moving around".[5]
As of March 2025, it was not clear how the on-going construction of the plant is being financed, possibly from the Chinese shareholder's funds.
Articles and Resources
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 "Prestige proposes 1200 MW thermal power plant". Chronicle. 2023-11-23. Archived from the original on 2024-01-25.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Beitbridge's mega power station takes shape". The Zimbabwe Independent. 2024-07-22. Archived from the original on 2024-09-20. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 “Beitbridge attracts coal to energy investment,” Chronicle, December 12, 2022
- ↑ "Prestige proposes 1200 MW thermal power plant," Chronicle, November 23, 2023
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 “Beitbridge’s mega power station takes shape,” Zimbabwe Independent, July 21, 2024
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 "ZIM attracts $2.5bn of Investments". /www.sundaymail.co.zw. August 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Xintai Resources (Pvt) Limited Designation Certificate". zidainvest.com. February 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ “US$3,6bn Beitbridge industrial park underway,” The Herald, October 7, 2024
- ↑ “Govt Commends Xintai for Generating Own Electricity, Utilizing Gas Emissions for Power at Its US$3.6 Billion Ferrochrome Project,” Mining Zimbabwe, January 16, 2025
- ↑ “‘Zim on real path to industrialisation’,” The Herald, February 25, 2025
- ↑ “President unveils US$3,6billion project,” The Chronicle, February 25, 2025
- ↑ “Zimbabwe launches $3.6 billion Xintai Palm River Industrial Park to boost energy and metallurgy,” ZiMining, March 5, 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.
