Zimbabwe has ended the state electricity monopoly by allowing private companies to distribute power directly to residential areas. The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority and Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company announced the policy change on Friday, October 24, aimed at expanding access to unserved communities by 2030.
Private firms will purchase bulk electricity and resell it to specific neighborhoods after building the necessary infrastructure. Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority officials identified nearly 400 developed areas that lack grid connections, despite having been built years earlier.
The new licensees must demonstrate technical and financial capability while meeting national standards. Regulators expect the system to reduce government infrastructure costs and incorporate renewable energy sources into the national grid.
Communities no longer depend solely on the state utility for power expansion. Private operators can establish localized distribution networks within designated zones and collect payments from consumers.
Private firms will purchase bulk electricity and resell it to specific neighborhoods after building the necessary infrastructure. Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority officials identified nearly 400 developed areas that lack grid connections, despite having been built years earlier.
The new licensees must demonstrate technical and financial capability while meeting national standards. Regulators expect the system to reduce government infrastructure costs and incorporate renewable energy sources into the national grid.
Communities no longer depend solely on the state utility for power expansion. Private operators can establish localized distribution networks within designated zones and collect payments from consumers.
