Aug 03 | 2023
Empowering Southern Africa: Zimbabwe's Electricity Regulator Unveils Power Infrastructure Potential at Green Energy Africa Summit 2023
Edington T. Mazambani, Chief Executive Officer, Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA), Republic of Zimbabwe will be sharing the opportunities of developing renewable energy capacity and increase energy access at the Green Energy Africa Summit 2023 in Cape Town on October 10th -11th, 2023.
Zimbabwe relies on coal and hydropower to support some 2,000 MW of power generation capacity, including the famous 2,010 MW Kariba Dam whose production is split with Zambia. However, breakdowns have become too frequent within aging coal power stations while droughts are affecting output from the Kariba Dam.
In response, Zimbabwe has had to open new coal-fed generation units while pushing solar adoption to decarbonise its energy mix and mitigate against droughts that can affect its hydroelectric production. Despite recent progress, the country’s electricity sector only provides access to 49% of the population, while only 30% have access to clean cooking.
The country aims to more than double national grid capacity by 2025 to meet rising demand for energy, especially from its mining industry. In doing so, it hopes to create opportunities for investments in relevant infrastructure to meet power generation targets.
Meanwhile, potential growth areas include floating solar projects at Kariba dam, increasing generation at operating plants and opportunities for independent power producers. Last year, independent power producers (IPPs) represent 3.6% of total electricity produced, according to data from ZERA.
In 2022, the country’s electricity regulator received new licence applications with total installed capacity of 178MW. Ten of the projects are solar projects and six would feed into the grid.
Growing electricity production, improving access to clean cooking technologies, and expanding the country’s power grid are amongst key priorities this decade, which ZERA’s Mazambani is expecting to share at GEAS 2023.
He joins a growing list of confirmed African ministers, regulators and utilities who will gather in Cape Town from October 10th to 11th to unlock deals and initiatives that can build a more resilient and efficient energy sector across the continent.
Want to get involved in Green Energy Afric Summit 2023? Register today and recieve an early bird price before 31 August.
Zimbabwe relies on coal and hydropower to support some 2,000 MW of power generation capacity, including the famous 2,010 MW Kariba Dam whose production is split with Zambia. However, breakdowns have become too frequent within aging coal power stations while droughts are affecting output from the Kariba Dam.
In response, Zimbabwe has had to open new coal-fed generation units while pushing solar adoption to decarbonise its energy mix and mitigate against droughts that can affect its hydroelectric production. Despite recent progress, the country’s electricity sector only provides access to 49% of the population, while only 30% have access to clean cooking.
The country aims to more than double national grid capacity by 2025 to meet rising demand for energy, especially from its mining industry. In doing so, it hopes to create opportunities for investments in relevant infrastructure to meet power generation targets.
Meanwhile, potential growth areas include floating solar projects at Kariba dam, increasing generation at operating plants and opportunities for independent power producers. Last year, independent power producers (IPPs) represent 3.6% of total electricity produced, according to data from ZERA.
In 2022, the country’s electricity regulator received new licence applications with total installed capacity of 178MW. Ten of the projects are solar projects and six would feed into the grid.
Growing electricity production, improving access to clean cooking technologies, and expanding the country’s power grid are amongst key priorities this decade, which ZERA’s Mazambani is expecting to share at GEAS 2023.
He joins a growing list of confirmed African ministers, regulators and utilities who will gather in Cape Town from October 10th to 11th to unlock deals and initiatives that can build a more resilient and efficient energy sector across the continent.
Want to get involved in Green Energy Afric Summit 2023? Register today and recieve an early bird price before 31 August.
