Ministry of Energy falls woefully short of targets...

Ministry of Energy falls woefully short of targets as 100 day deadline looms

Oscar J Jeke—Zim Now Reporter

The Ministry of Energy and Power Development has only achieved 8 % of its targets as the government’s First 100-Day Cycle of 2025 deadline approaches, despite its claim to be on target.

Energy Projects Status Update—March 2025

Completed		In progress
Project	Output MW	Project	Output MW
Maximind Thermal Power Plant	15	Prestige Thermal Power Plant	100
Zvarota Institutions Grid Extension		Guruve Solar Plant	2.5
Makhaza Institution Grid Extension		NewGlvers Solar Project	10
Zhongzhing Heli Thermal Power Plant	20	Zhongzhing Heli Thermal Power Plant	220
		Zimplats Solar Plant	45
Total	35		377.5

According to the ministry’s latest report, which said the ministry is on course to complete its projects, only one power generation project is complete, with the second only having 20 MW online against a target of 240 MW.

It is also key to note that the power generation projects in the ministry's report are all by independent power producers rather than the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority, the national utility service provider.

ZESA's Gwanda Solar Project remains stalled, years after the utility paid Wicknell Chivayo's Intratek US$5.6 million.

Maxmind has completed the 15 MW solar plant at its Sabi Star Lithium Mine in Buhera, while the 240 MW Zhongzhing Heli Thermal Power Plant in Hwange is generating 20 MW. The report inaccurately says the Maxmind Buhera project is generating 120 MW, but a fact check by Zim Now established that it is a 15 MW project.

Ongoing projects include the construction of the 100-MW Prestige Thermal Power Plant in Beitbridge, the 2.5-MW Guruve Solar Plant, and the 10-MW NewGlvers Solar Project in Kwekwe. The 45-MW Zimplats Solar Plant in Chegutu District is 40% complete.

The Zvarota Institutions Grid Extension Project in Shurugwi and the Makhaza Institution Grid Extension Project in Tsholotsho District have both reached 100% completion.

Rural Electrification

Project	Status %
Gandavaroyi	83%
Soti Source	85%
Zendele	70%

None of the rural electrification projects are complete, with the Gandavaroyi Community Mini Solar Grid in Gokwe North District at 83%, the Soti Source Community Solar Mini Grid Project at 85%, and the Zendele Primary School Solar Mini Grid Project 70% complete.

Many organizations are investing in their own power generation plants to mitigate pervasive outages caused by load shedding, as the current national output of around 1300 MW is way below the demand of over 2000 MW.

Increased agricultural output and industry capacity utilization, as well as new mines opening and new settlements, are all creating more demand on the national grid.