Online Reporter
Zvamaida Murwira, Harare Bureau
ZESA ENTERPRISES (ZENT), a subsidiary of Zesa Holdings, is set to enter into a partnership with Chinese firm Shanghai Jingdao Electric Company to establish a manufacturing and assembly plant for smart meters, switchgears and electric vehicle chargers.
The deal, which was tabled and approved by Cabinet yesterday, is structured under a public-private partnership, giving impetus to the Government’s drive for collaboration between the public and private sectors.
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere, announced the development at a post-Cabinet briefing in Harare.
“Cabinet considered and approved the proposed Public-Private Partnership project between Zesa Enterprises and Shanghai Jingdao Electric Company for the establishment of a manufacturing and assembly plant for the manufacture of switchgears, smart meters and electric vehicle chargers.
The country faces a growing need for modern switchgears as the national grid expands, while old equipment is being phased out,” he said.
Dr Muswere said the collaboration will position Zimbabwe as a hub for the supply of switchgears in the SADC region.
“Additionally, the availability of smart meters will enhance ZETDC’s efficiency in accurate billing, thereby boosting revenue collection, while the production of electric vehicle chargers aligns with global mobility trends,” he added.
“The partnership project will benefit the country through import substitution, foreign currency savings, job creation, technology transfer, enhanced energy supply, improved revenues for ZETDC, and the stimulation of downstream sectors.”
Zent has also set its sights on producing 10 000 transformers annually — a massive leap from just 600 three years ago and its current output of about 3 000.
The target is expected to bolster Zimbabwe’s industrialisation and modernisation drive by expanding local energy infrastructure, reducing the import bill, creating jobs and fostering technology transfer.
The surge in production is significant for Zimbabwe, where reliable electricity supply underpins industrial operations, commercial activity and household needs.
Zent manufactures transformers ranging in size from 10kVA to 90MVA, with capacity of up to 132kV, which are critical for transmitting electricity efficiently from generation plants to end-users.
The transformers either step up voltage for long-distance transmission or step it down for safe distribution to factories, businesses and homes. Without adequate transformers, the country risks bottlenecks in energy transmission that can disrupt economic growth.
The firm is also working closely with local universities under the Heritage-Based Education 5.0 model to strengthen innovation and produce skilled technicians for the energy sector.
In addition, the company is shifting from copper to aluminium winding for transformers.
Despite a mandatory jail term of 10 years upon conviction, copper has long been a target for thieves due to its high market value, leading to vandalism and losses.
Aluminium, on the other hand, is less attractive to thieves, making it a safer and more sustainable alternative.
