Staff Reporter

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Energy and Power Development, Dr Gloria Magombo stressed the importance of balancing renewable energy investments with robust base load power generation during the Zimbabwe Energy Development Conference (ZEDCON) 2024, held in Victoria Falls, yesterday.

Dr Magombo highlighted the need to bolster the country’s energy security by maintaining reliable baseload power from non-renewable sources such as coal.

She emphasised that while renewable energy is the future, the country still needs reliable, non-renewable sources to support its growing energy needs.

“Cleaner coal technologies are welcome as we work towards net-zero emissions, but it is vital that we continue to invest in coal to ensure sustainable energy supplies,” Dr Magombo said.

In line with these efforts, Dr Magombo pointed to gas-to-power alternatives, which could become a crucial element in Zimbabwe’s energy mix.

“The ongoing exploration work in Muzarabani has raised hopes of positive outcomes, which could unlock significant gas resources for power generation. We need to plan for gas-to-power alternatives in anticipation of the exploration’s success,” she said.

The Permanent Secretary also called for strategic measures to enhance the value addition of energy minerals.

She urged policymakers to study value chains and assess the economic feasibility of incentivising value addition.

“Introducing incentives for energy minerals’ value addition, after careful study of value chains, will not only benefit the industry but also inform our industrial policies. This approach would support local industries and reduce the cost of locally produced energy technologies,” Dr Magombo added.

Dr Magombo reaffirmed Government’s commitment to pursuing value addition of these minerals, ensuring the nation reaps the benefits from their application in the energy sector.

“By adding value to these critical minerals, we will reduce the cost of locally produced energy technologies and position Zimbabwe as a key player in the energy transition,” she stated.

Energy expert Florence Mugiyo commented on the Government's initiatives, stating, "The ongoing efforts to strengthen the country’s energy sector, while also supporting value addition for critical minerals, underline Zimbabwe’s commitment to achieving a balanced, sustainable energy future. These initiatives not only address current energy challenges but also pave the way for economic growth and stability."

Meanwhile, Government is exploring all avenues to ensure sufficient power supply to support the massive developments and production activities currently taking place in the country.

These efforts are crucial in driving Zimbabwe's industrial growth and sustaining the momentum of ongoing projects as the nation strives to meet its energy demands and foster a resilient, thriving economy.