In the fight against “Energy Poverty,” the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) is urging the private sector to adopt net metering to support ZETDC, as only a fraction are currently feeding excess power into the grid, Mining Zimbabwe can report.
By Ryan Chigoche
This intervention was identified by the authority as key to addressing the persistent power shortages that have long hampered the country’s productive sectors.
In recent months, electricity generation has seen encouraging improvements, with output rising to over 1,400 MW, up from under 900 MW in previous years, largely thanks to the return of several power units at Hwange and Kariba.
These gains have helped narrow the gap between supply and national peak demand, estimated at around 2,000–2,200 MW.
However, despite this progress, the country still faces a shortfall, meaning load-shedding and supply disruptions continue to affect industry and households alike.
Against this backdrop, ZERA is urging private sector players to participate in net metering to ease pressure on the grid.
Samuel Zaranyika, a Senior Engineer at ZERA, explained that while many players have installed net metering systems, much of the energy generated remains unused.
By connecting grid-interactive inverters, excess power can be exported to ZETDC, supporting national supply and helping to bridge the widening demand gap.
“Energy poverty is real, but how do we mitigate it? There are quite a number of players in the industry who have installed net metering systems. At times, they are not using all the energy they generate. ZERA is saying: put a grid-interactive inverter and send that excess power into the grid. This will help ZETDC, because demand for power is currently outstripping generation. We are calling on the industry to embrace net metering and export excess electricity into the grid,” Zaranyika said.
He further highlighted that the national grid could accommodate up to 800 MW through net metering, offering participating companies the benefits of a virtual battery, lower electricity bills, and alignment with net-zero goals.
Independent Power Producers (IPPs) have long been regarded as a critical component of Zimbabwe’s solution to energy poverty.
Yet, according to ZimStat’s Index of Electricity Generation, IPPs contributed only 4.4% of total electricity generation in the first half of the year.
Zaranyika pointed out that despite the growing importance of IPPs, only a fraction are feeding into the grid, underscoring the need for greater engagement from this sector.
“Energy poverty is real. Demand is outstripping supply, and we need more players in the industry to close that gap. Over 100 people have applied for IPP licenses, but from approval to actual implementation, the heat rate I’d put it at maybe 0.1%—very few are feeding power into the grid. That’s why I believe many are applying for licenses for speculative purposes,” he said.
Data from ZimStat shows that Zimbabwe’s power generation grew strongly in the second quarter of 2025, with total output rising 18.2% from the previous quarter and 11.7% year-on-year. Hwange Power Station led production with 1,945.6 GWh (68.1% of total), followed by Kariba at 786.4 GWh (27.5%), while IPPs supplied the remaining 4.4%.
The mining sector, a major driver of national electricity demand, continues to consume significant power, with estimates ranging between 700 MW and 2,600 MW, depending on whether peak or total consumption is considered. Expansion in mining operations and energy-intensive processing means this sector remains central to discussions on supply and demand.
Looking ahead, Zimbabwe’s overall electricity demand is projected to rise sharply, from around 1,950 MW in 2022 to over 5,000 MW by 2030, with mining and industrial sectors leading this growth.
While recent gains in generation are encouraging, continued investment and modernisation will be crucial to meet the projected surge in demand, ensuring that mining and other productive sectors can thrive without being constrained by energy shortages.
