ZIMBABWE has reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating renewable energy deployment, improving energy efficiency and ensuring the energy transition delivers tangible economic and social benefits.
The commitment, announced at the 16th Session of the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena) Assembly in Abu Dhabi, underscores Zimbabwe’s push to achieve universal access to clean and affordable energy by 2030, cut greenhouse gas emissions and attract billions of dollars in private investment to modernise its energy sector amid growing demand.
Energy and Power Development deputy minister Yeukai Simbanegavi said renewable energy was central to Zimbabwe’s climate action and development agenda.
She said the country was targeting universal access to clean, reliable and affordable energy by 2030, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40% below business-as-usual levels over the same period.
Simbanegavi cited the National Renewable Energy Policy of 2019, which offers incentives to promote private sector investment in power generation, with a strong focus on solar, hydro, wind and biomass.
“Complementing this is the National Energy Efficiency Policy of 2025, which promotes efficiency across households, industry, mining, transport, commerce and agriculture — recognising energy efficiency as a critical accelerator of the energy transition,” the deputy minister said.
Simbanegavi said Zimbabwe had put in place an enabling environment that included fiscal incentives, net-metering regulations that relax licensing requirements for systems of up to 10 megawatts for own use and Government Project Support Agreements aimed at enhancing the bankability of the national utility.
She said the country was also developing a structured National Renewable Energy Procurement Framework to facilitate transparent, competitive and investor-friendly implementation of priority projects in line with the National Integrated Energy Resource Plan.
- Renewables steal limelight in French polls
- Why we do what we do at AMH: Mafukidze
- Why we do what we do at AMH: Mafukidze
- News in depth: Zimbabwe’s push for shift to renewable energy sources gathers momentum
Keep Reading
Zimbabwe aims to expand installed generation capacity, modernise transmission and distribution networks — including smart metering — scale up off-grid electrification through private sector participation and results-based financing, and mobilise more than US$4,42 billion in private investment through market de-risking and independent power producer (IPP) procurement.
“In line with the assembly’s emphasis on moving from ambition to delivery, Zimbabwe has undertaken far-reaching reforms,” Simbanegavi said.
She said government had launched Mission 300 National Energy Compact, reaffirming its commitment to universal access to electricity and clean cooking by 2030, financially viable and climate-resilient energy systems, and deeper regional power market integration.
The compact is anchored on five pillars: expanding generation and network infrastructure at competitive costs; leveraging on regional integration; scaling up distributed renewable energy and clean cooking solutions; incentivising private sector participation and ensuring financially-sustainable utilities.
Simbanegavi said Zimbabwe had liberalised its energy market, allowing IPPs to generate and sell electricity directly to customers.
“Most IPPs are already supplying corporate buyers, including mining companies. In addition, a framework for secondary distribution licences has been established to attract private investment in underserved and unconnected areas, accelerating last-mile electrification,” she said.
Simbanegavi added that Zimbabwe was placing people at the centre of energy transition, actively participating in the Irena-coordinated Powering Lives and Livelihoods through Renewables initiative.
“Through this initiative, assessments have demonstrated the transformative potential of renewable energy in productive sectors — particularly the agri-food value chain and the health sector,” she said.
Renewable energy solutions are being deployed to support irrigation, cold storage, agro-processing and value addition, helping to reduce post-harvest losses, strengthen rural incomes and support the government rural electrification programme and village business units.
“In the health sector, renewable energy solutions are improving reliability of power supply, strengthening resilience and enhancing service delivery, especially in rural and underserved communities,” she said.
Simbanegavi said Zimbabwe viewed global energy transition as a strategic opportunity for industrial development and value addition.
“These efforts reflect Zimbabwe’s commitment to people-centred, impact-driven energy transitions. Zimbabwe also views the global energy transition as a strategic opportunity for industrial development and value addition.
“As a mineral-rich country endowed with critical energy transition minerals, including lithium, Zimbabwe has adopted a deliberate policy direction that prioritises local beneficiation.”
