African Development Bank supports renewable energy sector in Zimbabwe

The pan-African multilateral financial institution is on a mission to spur economic development in Zimbabwe, one of its regional member countries (RMCs), thus contributing to the country’s energy sufficiency and poverty reduction.

In August 2022, a delegation comprising the bank’s vice president for power, energy, climate, and green growth, Dr Kevin Kariuki, and its vice president for the private sector, infrastructure, and industrialization, Mr. Solomon Quaynor, both met with senior Zimbabwean government officials including the Energy and Power Development Minister Soda Zhemu and representatives of Zambezi River Authority and the Southern Africa Power Pool.

Their deliberations included developing the private sector and options that could be implemented around the potential for renewable energy resources.

Minister Zhemu expressed the Zimbabwean government’s gratitude for the gesture from the AFD, highlighting the investment made by the bank in Zimbabwe’s energy sector. Investments include US$ 32 million for the Kariba Dam Rehabilitation project, US$59,5 million (ZimFund Emergency Power Infrastructure Rehabilitation Project), US$19 million (Alaska-Karoi Transmission Reinforcement project), and US$3,5 million (Energy Sector Reform Support project).

The Emergency Power Infrastructure Rehabilitation Project (EPIRP) Phase II, is being implemented at a total estimated cost of US$32.94 million. The project aims to support electrical infrastructure development in Zimbabwe and will contribute to the economic recovery process, improving the livelihood of general Zimbabweans. The Phase II Stage I programme (US$ 15.42 million) focused on the Plant Drain System Containment and Effluent Treatment Study at Hwange Power Station, the rehabilitation of two power transmission substations in Bulawayo and Gweru and the refurbishment of power distribution facilities for water supply and wastewater treatment plants in Harare. The project was also formulated to further the benefits and impacts of Phase I whose components included the rehabilitation of the power generation, transmission, and distribution infrastructure throughout the country.

The Energy Sector Reform Support Technical Assistance Project aims to improve the availability of reliable electricity supply by facilitating the creation of an enabling environment for promoting Independent Power Producers and supporting further integration of renewable energy power generation capacity.

Accounting frameworks,

• Reviewing the tariff methodology and regulatory framework and

• Designed Energy Efficiency programmes in the public sector. The Project cost estimate is UA2.90 million and is scheduled for implementation over 30 months, from November 2021 to May 2024.

AFDB is also involved in the development of the Batoka Gorge Hydro Power project, which when completed will supply electricity to SADC community member countries.

Expected project outputs include:

• Development of an integrated resource plan,

• Wind Resource assessments for wind power generation,

• Coordinated protection schemes at SAPP interconnectors with the ZESA grid,

• Developed Regulatory

In July 2022, the bank announced that it had facilitated funds (US$23 million) for the Emergency Power Infrastructure Rehabilitation Project under its partner ZimFund.

The funds were for the purchase and delivery of a 175 MVA transformer for the Midlands, Mashonaland East, and Mashonaland West Provinces.