Zimbabwe stands at a decisive crossroads in the evolution of its energy sector. The nation faces persistent electricity shortages, aging infrastructure, and growing demand due to rapid urbanisation, industrial expansion, and digital transformation. Yet, embedded in these challenges is a profound opportunity to reimagine, rebuild, and revolutionise Zimbabwe’s energy future.
As the country's GDP continues to grow to around 52 billion United States dollar economy, the country should vigorously accelerate its baseload to not less than 8GW. In May 2025 I was part of the Energy Compact Private Sector Consultation Indaba, held on May 14, 2025, at the Holiday Inn Hotel, Harare, where stakeholders from the World Bank, United Nations, Ministry of Energy and Power Development, and key private sector players like Power Giants Transmission and Distribution Company convened to co-create a bold vision for sustainable energy.
We proposed an actionable roadmap built on Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), regulatory reform, technological innovation, climate resilience, and inclusive growth, all aligned with Vision 2030 and Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7): universal access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy. As we continue to boldly and support all efforts to mitigate issues to do with energy poverty, we agreed to contribute towards the following.
- Country and sector overview
Zimbabwe’s energy sector remains under considerable strain. Existing electricity generation capacity, mainly from aging thermal and hydropower facilities, fails to meet national demand. This has led to chronic power outages, economic disruption, and social discontent.
Despite these challenges, Zimbabwe is blessed with abundant and under-utilised renewable energy resources:
- Solar irradiance exceeding 5.5 kWh/m²/day
- Viable wind corridors in the Eastern Highlands
- Untapped small hydro potential
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
- Biomass from agriculture and forestry residues
Furthermore, future pathways like small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) and geothermal energy offer long-term grid stability and diversification.
The Government of Zimbabwe has set ambitious targets:
- 65% renewable energy contribution by 2030
- 600,000 households electrified by 2030, and 1.2 million by 2035
- Net energy exporter status in the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP
- Current status and challenges
Key Structural and Operational Challenges:
- Aging Infrastructure: Over 60% of installed capacity is beyond its design life, leading to frequent breakdowns
- Grid Instability: Lack of firm baseload power undermines renewable integration.
- Vandalism: Theft of transformers, copper cables, and other components is rampant.
- Financing Gaps: Limited access to concessional and commercial capital for energy projects.
- Regulatory Bottlenecks: Lengthy permitting, and high license fees.
- Low Rural Electrification: Over 60% of rural communities remain unconnected to the grid, of which both private and public players should expand both HV (High Voltage) and Medium Voltage reticulation to all rural areas
- Compact targets and action plan
National Energy Compact Goals (2025–2030):
- 8,000MW installed capacity by 2030, with a longer-term vision of surpassing 15,000 MW by 2035.
- 65% renewable energy contribution to the energy mix.
- 600,000 new household connections by 2030.
- Position Zimbabwe as a net energy exporter in the SADC region
Strategic action plan:
- Accelerate Renewable Energy Deployment
- Prioritise utility-scale solar, wind, and biomass projects.
- Incentivize the development of mini-grids and standalone systems.
- Adopt Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)
- Partner with international nuclear technology providers to ensure grid stability.
- Strengthen Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs)
- Employ Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT), Independent Power Producer (IPP), and Joint Venture models.
- Modernise Grid Infrastructure
- Invest in grid automation, transmission upgrades, and digital metering.
- Enhance the Investment Climate
- Streamline licensing, introduce fiscal incentives, and stabilise policy frameworks.
- Build Human Capital
- Collaborate with universities and TVETs to develop skilled energy professionals
- Development partner engagement
Key development partners continue to support Zimbabwe’s energy transition:
- World Bank: Technical assistance, electrification of clinics and schools, energy access support.
- African Development Bank (AfDB): Feasibility studies, project financing, energy policy reform.
- UNDP & GIZ: Capacity building, mini-grid pilots, climate resilience planning.- SADC & COMESA: Regional integration and cross-border energy trade.
*Read more on www.thestandard.co.zw
Dr. Engineer Edzai Kachirekwa
Power Giants Private Limited
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: +263774742021
- Strategic investment opportunities
- Renewable Energy Development- Utility-scale solar and wind farms (≥50 MW).
- Rural mini-grid development.- Waste-to-energy and biomass conversion plants.
- Small Modular Reactor Deployment- Engage partners from Canada, China, Russia, and the UAE for turnkey SMR solutions.
- Grid Modernization- Upgrade substations and transmission lines (per ZETDC inventory – Annex IV).- Deploy real-time SCADA and demand response systems.
- Smart Technologies- Digital metering, automated controls, AI-driven load management.
- Local Equipment Manufacturing- Establish local assembly lines for solar panels, inverters, batteries, and turbines.
- Green Hydrogen and Battery Storage- Invest in pilot hydrogen production plants.- Scale battery storage to stabilize intermittent renewables.
- ENABLING ENVIRONMENT FOR INVESTMENT
The Government should continue to actively pursue reforms to attract and protect investment: As we have witnessed for the past few years, speaking from the private sector, the government has surpassed our expectations ,and indeed we need to apply a Diplomatic bridge with investors so as to support the current open energy market.
- One-Stop Investment Centers: Streamlined licensing and approvals.
- Tax Incentives: Corporate tax holidays, VAT exemptions, and duty-free imports.
- Investment Guarantees: Bilateral treaties and sovereign-backed Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs).
- Blended Finance: Viability gap funding, green bonds, and concessional loans.
- LEVERAGING TOURISM AND GLOBAL FORUMS
Zimbabwe must continue to integrate investment promotion into its foreign policy, tourism, and trade initiatives: As I continue to witness such bold reforms, the country will soon be the Energy basket of Africa.
- Participate in Africa Energy Week, COP summits, and Dubai Energy Forum.
- Host Zimbabwe Energy Investment Expos featuring provincial energy corridors.
- Market energy zones alongside Victoria Falls, Kariba, and Hwange for eco-tourism and energy tourism synergies.
- CAPACITY BUILDING AND LOCAL EMPOWERMENT
A just energy transition must prioritise inclusive development:
- Establish Energy Training Institutes in partnership with universities and polytechnics.
- Support women and youth-led clean energy startups with grants and incubation.
- Promote local ownership of mini-grids and cooperatives through community trust models.
- ENERGY DIVERSIFICATION AND CLIMATE RESILIENCE
Zimbabwe must build a diverse and climate-resilient portfolio:
- Develop flood-resilient energy sources, elevated transmission infrastructure, and climate-proof designs.
- Expand small hydro in Eastern Highlands.
- Explore geothermal potential in Manicaland and Mutare.
- Incorporate climate risk assessments in all energy planning
- CONCLUSION: THE TIME TO ACT IS NOW
Energy is the lifeblood of Zimbabwe’s economic transformation, industrialization, and digital future. The 2025 National Energy Compact laid the foundation; it is now time to build the superstructure of action. The country has so much potential to become an Energy powerhouse in the SADC region.
Call to Action
- The government should continue to lead with its bold, investor-friendly reforms.
- The Private Sector must invest with innovation and long-term commitment.
- Communities must participate actively in energy governance.
- Development Partners must support with agility and strategic financing.
Together, we can illuminate Zimbabwe’s future inclusively, sustainably, and irreversibly. This is no longer an energy transition. It is a national imperative. If these steps are to be followed under National Development Strategy 2 , Zimbabwe will become an Energy exporter under the new single energy proposal
