Rutendo Nyeve, [email protected]
THE multifaceted energy sector has recorded significant achievements during the course of the year, including more than 280 consecutive days of uninterrupted electricity supply, an increase in conventional generation capacity, expanded rural electrification, growth in solar energy uptake and a stable petroleum supply despite external geopolitical pressures.
Energy and Power Development Minister, July Moyo, said this while addressing the Ministry of
Energy and Power Development Strategic Planning Review Workshop held in Victoria Falls at the weekend.
While commending the ministry for the milestones, Minister Moyo called for accelerated action, saying the gains recorded during the year under review must serve as a foundation for future progress rather than a reason for complacency.
“These gains matter, but they must be the platform for the next step, not a reason to become comfortable,” he said.
Minister Moyo said Zesa recorded more than 280 consecutive days of uninterrupted electricity supply during the period under review, while conventional generation capacity increased from 2 905MW to 3 025MW.
Net metering grew beyond 110MW, while captive power producers added capacity to 162.47MW.
“Rural electrification also continued through both grid and off-grid systems, with more than 8 500 institutions now electrified. In addition, over 9 500 solar home systems were distributed under the Presidential Solar Scheme.
“Petroleum supply remained stable, supported by the maintenance of inland stocks, despite geopolitical pressures affecting global fuel routes and markets,” he said.
Minister Moyo emphasised that the era of activity-based reporting was over, declaring that success
would henceforth be measured by tangible outcomes delivered to citizens.
“The era of measuring success through reports and activities is over. Success must now be measured through projects completed, revenues collected, assets maintained, customers served and economic value created,” he said.
The minister called on every department, directorate, agency and State-owned enterprise to have clear strategic plans, measurable targets and accountable leadership.
He stressed the need for integrated planning, urging the ministry and its entities to plan energy as one national system rather than as separate institutional silos.
“Our first policy direction is simple: plan energy as one national system. We do not plan for ZESA, ZETDC, ZPC, ZERA, REF, NOIC, Petrotrade or the ministry, we plan for Zimbabwe. Generation, transmission, distribution, petroleum, renewable energy, energy efficiency, rural electrification and clean cooking must work as one system,” said Minister Moyo.
He said energy could not be planned in isolation, as it sits at the centre of agriculture, mining, manufacturing, housing, health, transport, water and information and communication technology.
“Wherever there is economic activity, there is an energy requirement. Wherever we plan a new mine, an industrial park, an irrigation scheme, a housing development, a hospital or a new settlement, we must ask ourselves from the outset: Where will the energy come from?
“How will it be supplied? What infrastructure is required? Who will finance it? And how do we ensure that the supply remains reliable and affordable?” said the minister.
He called for stronger collaboration across ministries, departments and agencies to ensure electricity networks and associated infrastructure are planned ahead of demand.
Minister Moyo also underscored the importance of energy efficiency, rural electrification moving
beyond connection numbers, and the urgent expansion of clean cooking solutions including electricity, LPG, biogas and ethanol.
On State enterprises, Minister Moyo acknowledged the strategic role of the Mutapa Investment Fund and expressed the ministry’s expectation that the re-bundling of Zesa entities would be finalised by the end of 2026.
He commended the fund for raising finances for new projects, particularly for Hwange Unit 5, which has been out of service since 2021.
Minister Moyo further emphasised the need for private sector participation, describing it as central to the 2027 turnaround.
“Government cannot finance the required generation, transmission, storage, petroleum infrastructure and access programmes alone. Government must provide clear policy, predictable regulation, transparent procurement and bankable frameworks,” he said.
Minister Moyo also called for modernisation of the legal framework to accommodate emerging technologies including renewable energy, storage, mini-grids, distributed generation, prosumers,
electric mobility and smart grids.
“Our laws must not only regulate the system we inherited. They must enable the system we intend to build,” he said.
Going forward, the minister said the Government would plan ahead of demand, diversify supply, modernise the grid, prepare for climate shocks, mobilise private capital, make energy efficiency measurable, deepen rural electrification and clean cooking, strengthen petroleum security, modernise laws, improve data, develop local skills and deepen regional integration.
