By Rudo Saungweme
The Ministry of Finance and Economic Development will ensure that the energy policy of 2020 addresses the affordability and reliability of the supply of energy in the country.
The Ministry has stated this in a document they released yesterday entitled 2020 Zimbabwe Infrastructure Investment Programme.
“Our energy policy seeks to ensure affordable, secure, sustainable and reliable supply of energy that meets the country`s development needs, address the viability of the energy sector entities, promote renewable energies, and deepen supply and use of all modern energy forms,” states the document.
The document states that Government reviewed electricity tariffs to cost reflective levels, which is expected to improve the financial status of the services, whilst also gradually providing capacity for new investments and maintenance of electricity infrastructure.
The Ministry will ensure that ZESA focuses on improving plant and equipment maintenance of thermal power stations, in order to improve reliability of local power supply and reduce high dependence on imports.
However, importation of electricity to complement local production is projected to continue in 2020, as Kariba Dam water levels take time to recover.
In the document the ministry wrote that Rural Electrification Fund is set to address the gap that still exists in rural areas.
“The national electrification rate stands at 42 percent with the rate for urban households at 83 percent, whilst rural electrification is around 13 percent.
“The Rural Electrification Fund continues to address the huge gap that still exists in rural areas, through electricity grid extension and off grid solar projects,” reads the document.
The Ministry will also continue to reform the energy sector.
“Continued institutional reforms in the energy sector will also be pursued, including a strong regulatory framework that encourages private investment in power generation projects,” reads the document.
The 2020 Zimbabwe Infrastructure Investment Program will see a boost in market confidence as it provides visibility, knowledge and understanding of where infrastructure investments are being made, and by whom, including knowledge of key reforms required in each sectors.
