SANY has started construction of a photovoltaic power plant with a capacity of 10 MW in Zimbabwe, marking a major milestone for the company in the African energy market. The project is carried out on behalf of a Chinese mining company, and for the first time in Africa adopts the “EP+F” model, integrating engineering, procurement and financing into a unified solution tailored to clients’ specific financial needs.
A new model for energy development
The plant, equipped with SANY’s high-efficiency 710 photovoltaic modules, will also feature advanced inverters and reinforced support structures. The installation is scheduled to be connected to the grid by the end of 2025 and is expected to generate up to 18 million kilowatt-hours annually. According to projections, this output will help ease pressure on the national power grid while ensuring a secure electricity supply for local industries and households.
The EP+F model, developed by SANY Silicon Energy, aims to reduce the financial burden of investment for clients, making access to renewable energy solutions easier in emerging markets. The initiative is designed to be replicated in future international projects, particularly across Africa. Involved clients have already expressed interest in new partnerships covering microgrids, electric trucks and charging infrastructure for electric vehicles.
Expansion in Africa and hybrid microgrids
This project in Zimbabwe continues SANY’s investment momentum in Africa, following the commissioning in 2024 of a hybrid plant combining solar, battery storage and diesel in Zambia. This facility, the first and largest of its kind on the continent, produces 16 million kilowatt-hours annually, yielding electricity cost savings of more than CNY20mn ($2.75mn) for the user. The first phase already accounts for almost 30% of the client’s total production expenses, according to data shared by SANY.
Since that milestone, three new microgrid projects have been signed in Zambia. SANY’s growing activity in the African market aims to support the evolution of the regional energy mix, with increasing presence in sectors such as industrial electrification and clean mobility.
Local presence and growth prospects
Present on the African continent for more than two decades, SANY now has 15 subsidiaries and a distribution network spanning 30 countries, supported by 13 main partners. More than 50% of SANY’s workforce in Africa is locally hired, generating over 5,000 direct jobs on site.
SANY’s local anchoring strategy is accompanied by continuous efforts to develop the regional supply chain, combining technology transfer, industrial support and operational management. The company has announced its intention to pursue growth on the continent by broadening its energy and industrial solutions tailored to the needs of African economies.
