Online Reporter
Business Reporter
The Government has issued regulations legally forcing property developers to fund and construct all electricity backbone infrastructure for new developments at their own expense.
According to Statutory Instrument 128 of 2026, land developers are strictly prohibited from selling, leasing or disposing of any stands until electrical infrastructure is fully installed, inspected and certified.
Developers must transfer ownership of completed power networks to the national utility, ZETDC, at zero cost, while providing a mandatory five-year warranty on all installed equipment.
Local councils have been empowered to suspend development permits, block land subdivisions and withhold rates clearance certificates from non-compliant developers.
Individuals or firms that violate the new power infrastructure regulations face criminal prosecution, fines up to Level 5 and up to six months in prison.
The law opens Zimbabwe’s power distribution market to independent private operators via 25-year renewable licences issued through competitive bidding.
End-user electricity tariffs charged by private grid operators will be strictly capped and cannot exceed standard ZETDC rates approved by ZERA.
