Source: New governance frameworks to bolster energy sector reforms – herald
Remember Deketeke
Herald Correspondent
Government has introduced eight new governance frameworks for the energy sector aimed at strengthening regulation, protecting consumers and accelerating the transition towards sustainable power generation.
This was said by Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Zhemu Soda, during the sixth post-Cabinet briefing held yesterday.
He said these new governance frameworks are aimed at augmenting the Zimbabwe National Energy Compact launched in 2025 to ensure energy security, efficiency and the attainment of Vision 2030.
“Cabinet considered and approved the new Governance Framework of the Energy Sector as presented by the Minister of Energy and Power Development,” he said.
The adopted principles for statutory instruments and regulations, said Dr Soda, are designed to improve consumer protection, expand access to electricity and support the transition towards renewable energy and sustainable baseload capacity.
He added the new statutory instruments and regulations will enhance regulatory oversight while providing clear operational guidelines for key segments of the energy industry.
The measures will also support Zimbabwe’s transition to renewable energy while ensuring that the country maintains sustainable baseload power capacity.
“The instruments will cover critical areas including solar products standards, appliance performance and labelling, energy source designation, energy management, backbone infrastructure provision, export controls and electricity licensing for own consumption undertakings,” he said.
Zimbabwe National Energy Compact, launched in 2025, outlines strategies to enhance energy security, increase electricity generation capacity and promote the adoption of renewable energy technologies as the country works towards becoming an upper middle-income economy by 2030.
Dr Soda said the specific principles of the statutory instruments and regulations are as follows:
“The Energy Regulatory (Designation of Energy Source) Notice, 2026; the Energy (Solar Products and Installation) Regulations, 2026; and the Electricity (Minimum Energy Performance Standard for Appliances and Labelling) Regulations, 2026,” he said.
“Also included are the Electricity (Energy Management) Regulations, 2026; the Electricity (Provision of Backbone Infrastructure Regulations) 2026; and the Electricity (Export Control) Regulations, 2026.
“The other instruments are the Electricity (Own Consumption Undertakings Licensing Capacity) Regulations, 2026 and the Electricity (Electric Vehicle Charging Station Safety) Regulations, 2026.”
Responding to questions from journalists, Energy and Power Development Minister July Moyo said the Government had already approved a joint venture agreement between Zesa Enterprises and a Chinese company so that we can order approved chargers from China initially, but with a view to having all chargers produced by Zesa Enterprises.
He added that importing the equipment in the short term would allow the country to kick-start the charging infrastructure while building local manufacturing capacity in the long run.
“This is the short term that we want to do, but at the same time, it has to be governed by regulations, and these regulations are what we are crafting, and we will be publishing them very soon,” he said.
Minister Moyo said the regulations will help govern electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in Zimbabwe.
The move comes amid growing adoption of the technology by companies importing electric cars into the country.
The new rules would ensure that electric vehicle charging systems are regulated in the same manner as other electricity infrastructure.
Minister Moyo said the move is aimed at safeguarding public safety, ensuring network stability and guaranteeing that charging equipment meets approved standards.
“We know that the number of companies that have already ordered electric vehicles in the country and some of them are coming up with their charging stations and it is these charging stations that we are worried about without regulations,” he said.
“So, these regulations we have crafted will help maintain safety, network stability and ensure that they conform to both nationally and internationally agreed equipment standards.”
The latest reforms are also expected to stimulate investment in the energy sector, improve service delivery and ensure that Zimbabwe keeps pace with global trends in sustainable energy development.
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