Online Reporter
Nqobile Bhebhe [email protected]
THE Senate Thematic Committee on Peace and Security has singled out Bulawayo United Hospitals (BUH) as a model of how renewable energy can improve the resilience of critical public health institutions, citing the facility’s solar power project as a notable success in reducing dependence on diesel generators and ensuring continuity of services during power outages.
In its latest report, the Committee said the 350kW solar plant installed at UBH in February this year has significantly strengthened power reliability at the central referral hospital while lowering operational costs associated with diesel consumption.
UBH serves as a referral centre for five provinces, making uninterrupted electricity supply essential for the delivery of critical healthcare services.
“The Committee found that reliable power was a matter of life and death in hospitals. Bulawayo United Hospitals, a central referral hospital serving five provinces, stood out as an outstanding example, having installed a 350kW solar plant in February 2026.
“The project was funded by the UNDP Global Fund in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Child Care, which has substantially reduced costly diesel consumption and is maintained through a skills-transfer arrangement between UNDP and local engineers.”
The observations are contained in the Committee’s report on Energy Security in Zimbabwe following verification visits undertaken between May 31 and June 9, 2026.
According to the report, the visits showed that Zimbabwe is making progress in strengthening energy security through investments in renewable energy and the expansion of electricity access.
However, the Committee noted that ageing infrastructure, limited financing, grid inefficiencies and technical challenges continue to undermine the reliability of power supplies.
The inquiry was conducted by two teams that visited renewable and conventional energy installations across the country. The teams engaged hospital staff, energy company officials, project implementers, communities, schools, clinics, entrepreneurs and officials from the Ministry of Energy and Power Development.
While the solar installation at BUH has enhanced the hospital’s energy resilience and reduced reliance on diesel generators, senators identified areas that still require urgent attention.
“However, critical departments such as the mortuary and laundry remain uncovered and concerns persist over delays of up to 20 minutes in manual switchover during automatic system glitches.
The Committee further heard that similar solar installations at district hospitals such as Nyika and Maphisa remain installed but not yet operational, a gap that requires urgent attention to extend resilience across the health sector.”
The Committee stressed that reliable electricity is vital for the healthcare sector, not only for lighting but also for the operation of life-saving medical equipment, laboratories, operating theatres, refrigeration systems, laundries and mortuary services.
It said the experience at BUH demonstrates how renewable energy can reduce operational costs while improving the reliability of electricity supply at public health institutions.
However, the Committee cautioned that the benefits of renewable energy investments could be undermined if broader weaknesses within the national electricity system are not addressed.
Zimbabwe has made notable strides in improving energy security through increased investment in renewable energy projects and wider access to electricity in communities and productive sectors.
“However, the inquiry revealed that the full potential of these efforts continues to be constrained by ageing infrastructure, financing challenges, grid inefficiencies, technical capacity gaps and threats to critical energy infrastructure.
“Addressing these challenges will be essential to ensuring a reliable, affordable and sustainable energy supply capable of supporting economic growth, industrial development and the attainment of Vision 2030,” reads part of the report.
Beyond the health sector, the Committee noted increased investment in renewable energy by mining companies, with several large-scale operations developing captive solar plants to supplement electricity supplies from the national grid.
The report also highlighted the continued importance of hydropower, with Kariba South Power Station remaining one of the country’s key sources of electricity generation. Smaller hydropower projects were identified as having the potential to complement national output while supporting local economic development.
Coal-fired generation also remains vital to Zimbabwe’s energy mix, with Hwange Thermal Power Station continuing to provide the baseload power required to stabilise the national grid.
Hwange currently has a combined installed capacity of more than 1 500MW across HESCO Units 7 and 8 and ZPC Units 1 to 6.
The Committee said increased investment in transmission and distribution infrastructure, improved financing mechanisms, enhanced technical skills and stronger protection of critical energy assets would be essential to guaranteeing reliable, affordable and sustainable electricity supplies for the country’s economy.
