Online Reporter
Wallace Ruzvidzo
Herald Reporter
ZIMBABWE is making frantic efforts to increase access to electricity in rural communities through the promotion of off-grid systems across the country, Zimbabwean Ambassador to Ghana Kufa Chinoza has said.
Speaking at the Ministers Meeting of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) in Accra, Ghana, the envoy said Zimbabwe was open to increased investments in the energy sector.
“Energy is a key enabler for all the other sectors including the health sector, agriculture sector and the mining sector.
“The ministry responsible for Energy, which is also ISA focal point, is responsible for providing guidance to the sector through policy formulation, performance monitoring and administration of the energy sector as well as research, development and promotion of new and renewable sources of energy,” he said.
Currently, the daily demand from local generation ranges between 1 300MW to 1 500MW against a peak demand of 1 800MW.
Ambassador Chinoza said the current electricity deficits were being experienced as a result of Zimbabwe’s increased industrialisation drive.
“Some of our citizens are currently experiencing cases of load shedding of up to 300MW usually during evening peak periods due to power supply shortfalls.
“These challenges are being experienced at a time we have increased demand from mining and agriculture value-chain industries and the general growing economy, coupled with population growth,” he said
According to statistics, Zimbabwe has a national electricity access rate of 62 percent, albeit with the levels in rural areas below 20 percent.
This, the Ambassador said, presented a task of increasing access to modern energy for rural communities.
“Against this backdrop, the Government is making frantic efforts to increase access to electricity in rural communities through the promotion of off-grid systems across the country.
“The objective of this initiative is to reduce the energy access gap and accelerate the energy transition in the country,” he said.
In 2018, Zimbabwe resolved ratification of ISA, followed by the signing of the Framework Agreement through the Ambassador resident in India.
ISA Framework Agreement and the Ratification was signed by President Mnangagwa in April 2021, with the major focus areas being scaling up of solar applications for agricultural use in its member states; mobilising finance for solar projects; rooftop solar projects; solar mini grids for rural areas and electric mobility.
“Zimbabwe is dedicated to collaborating with ISA to ensure that we emerge as regional leader in renewable energy, particularly solar energy.
“We therefore remain committed to supporting the development and utilisation of the STARC centre, which we envision will be the hub for solar information and a referral point for all matters concerning the solar energy sector.
“I would also like to further express my gratitude for your support towards the establishment of STARC and other initiatives, your support has been instrumental in shaping the solar energy landscape in Zimbabwe,” said Ambassador Chinoza.
He said both parties had confirmed readiness to sign the STARC MoU.
“It was agreed that Zimbabwe’s Minister of Energy and Power Development, Hon Minister J G Moyo would sign the MoU at the forthcoming ISA meeting in India in October 2025.
“The ISA director-general personally requested the minister’s attendance and signature,” said the Ambassador.
