The Zimbabwean government has introduced a series of measures to tackle ongoing power supply shortages that have led to load-shedding periods lasting up to 16 hours a day.
During a media briefing in Harare on Tuesday, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Jenfan Muswere, detailed the government’s plans to enhance the electricity situation in the country. Muswere explained that the Mutapa Investment Fund is working to address structural challenges by merging some entities under ZESA Holdings (Pvt) Ltd, as advised by an independent consultant.
This restructuring aims to create a more efficient governance and management system. On the supply side, the government plans to rehabilitate Hwange Units 1 to 6 through a Build, Operate, and Transfer arrangement, which is expected to start this year.
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Additionally, the Mutapa Investment Fund is implementing strategies to meet the foreign currency needs of Independent Power Producers.
To increase the adoption of net metering for solar power, ZESA has been instructed to promote this system and simplify the related processes.
The issue of electricity loss during transmission is being addressed through a joint venture between ZENT and QLV to manufacture cables and tackle theft.
As a result of the prolonged load-shedding, many businesses and households in Zimbabwe have turned to alternative energy sources, including diesel generators and solar systems.
