25/10/2025
Professionals Business Association of Zimbabwe PROBAZ
Zimbabwe's energy sector faces several challenges, impacting the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority's (ZERA) efforts to ensure a stable energy supply. Key challenges include :
- Outdated Electricity Act: The existing Act has significant gaps, hindering infrastructure modernization, expansion, and adoption of renewable energy sources.
- Financial Constraints: Zimbabwe's bad debtor record has stalled financing for power projects, while the shortage of foreign currency hampers maintenance and development.
- Aging Infrastructure: Power plants, like Kariba and Hwange, are outdated, leading to operational issues and reduced capacity.
- Theft and Vandalism: Copper wire theft and infrastructure vandalism cause significant losses and disruptions.
- Supply-Demand Gap: Zimbabwe struggles to meet demand, with frequent load-shedding and inadequate generation capacity.
- Limited Renewable Energy Adoption: Despite targets, progress is slow due to policy implementation gaps and lack of incentives.
Having mentioned these challenges, all is not doom and gloom.
To address these challenges, ZERA is working to:
- Promote Renewable Energy: Encouraging investment in solar, wind, and other clean energy sources.
- Improve Efficiency: Reducing energy wastage and optimizing existing infrastructure.
- Enhance Regulation: Strengthening ZERA's role in ensuring fair tariffs and promoting competition.