Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve, Victoria Falls Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) has embarked on an infrastructure upgrade and equipment acquisition drive estimated to cost about US$86 million, to modernise the national power transmission system and improve response times to faults.
Coming at a time when the country is experiencing improved domestic power generation capacity and reduced load shedding, the investment marks a critical step in Zimbabwe’s efforts to stabilise electricity supply.
With infrastructure upgrades and improved response systems, ZETDC aims to reduce disruptions and deliver better service to households and industries.
This is crucial in accelerating the country’s modernisation drive, and consumers remain optimistic for a future with fewer power outages and more efficient power delivery.
Deputy Minister of Energy and Power Development, Yeukai Simbanegavi, revealed the latest development in a written response in the National Assembly on Wednesday.
She explained that the power utility was implementing a two-pronged strategy to address ageing infrastructure and slow fault response times, which have long frustrated consumers.
“The ZETDC acknowledges that ageing transmission and distribution network requires urgent intervention,” said Deputy Minister Simbanegavi.
“To address this and improve system reliability, the company is implementing a two-pronged strategy backed by $86 million in allocated funding.”
Under the plan, $73 million has been allocated for infrastructure upgrades, including the procurement of critical components such as underground cables, distribution transformers, grid substations and switchgear.
The investment aims to reinforce the national grid, reduce breakdowns, and expand capacity to meet growing electricity demand.
The remaining $13 million will be used to acquire specialised tools, safety equipment and operational vehicles, including trucks and minibuses, to enhance response efficiency.
“While orders are placed for thousands of transformers and hundreds of vehicles, deliveries are ongoing,” she said.
The new equipment will replace outdated gear, improve worker safety and allow repair crews to attend to faults more swiftly.
To ensure sustainability, ZETDC is also establishing long-term supply agreements for future needs.
The overall objective is to significantly reduce power outages and minimise downtime for consumers.
Responding to concerns raised by legislators on improving communication channels for fault reporting, Deputy Minister Simbanegavi acknowledged the need for modern platforms such as WhatsApp to enhance public engagement.
“I concur with his suggestion… that for our utility to ensure quick response, we must have these modern ways of communication, which includes WhatsApp and other platforms,” she said.
“ZETDC has such platforms, but we must increase awareness so that the public knows they are free to use them.”
Deputy Minister Simbanegavi pledged to engage ZETDC officials to expand digital reporting mechanisms, ensuring faster resolution of faults. — @nyeve14
Bongani Ndlovu