Energy summit to provide critical platform to attract international investors

ZIMBABWE has a unique opportunity to showcase its energy infrastructure projects to international investors and attract investments at the inaugural Zimbabwe-Zambia energy projects summit planned for November.

The first-ever joint energy projects summit is scheduled for 18-20 November in Victoria Falls. It will run under the theme “Powering Zimbabwe and Zambia’s Sustainable Energy Future: Unlocking Opportunities in Renewables, Grid Modernisation and Energy Access.”

The high-level summit will give investors the opportunity to hear about the progress both countries are making with their energy project plans and the improvements being made to create a more enabling energy investment environment. Zimbabwe and Zambia are facing power shortages that have seen people going for long hours without electricity.

The situation, caused by frequent breakdowns at Hwange Thermal Station has been compounded by water shortages at Kariba Dam, which provides the bulk of the two countries’ electricity supplies.

Kariba South and North Power Stations remain Zimbabwe and Zambia’s major sources of electricity despite production limitations due to the low water level.

This has prompted the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) to ration the amount of water used to generate electricity from Lake Kariba. According to Zim-Zam summit website, bringing together international finance institutions, private sector leaders, ministries, utilities and energy regulators, the summit will explore innovative solutions for expanding renewable energy, modernising grids and enhancing energy access.

“Attendees will have the opportunity to network with global investors, private financiers and technology providers to unlock investment opportunities and shape the future of the energy sector in the region,” reads part of the summit notification.

The planned gathering will foster collaboration and provide actionable insights into sustainable energy development in Southern Africa.

Topics to be discussed will include creating an attractive energy investment destination, using innovative and profitable renewable energy solutions to reach universal access targets, strengthening regional energy networks to increase resilience against dependence on dominant energy sources and working collaboratively with the mining sector to support economic growth and their vision for a cleaner energy future.

Zimbabwe and Zambia share infrastructure for hydropower generation, the Batoka Gorge which will serve as a mitigation measure to some of the hydrological problems at Kariba.

The summit comes at a time when countries must prioritise renewable energy such as solar and wind as alternative energy sources that can offer resilience against climate-related disruption.

In a letter to Energy Net Public Sector Engagement manager, Mrs Gemma Golsling, Energy and Power Development Minister Edgar Moyo said the summit will provide a critical platform for international and local investors to learn about current and upcoming energy investment opportunities in the region.

Minister
Edgar Moyo

“We are particularly honoured to host this prestigious event in partnership with Energy Net and the Summit Sponsor, Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera), to demonstrate our commitment to fostering regional cooperation through the highly relevant theme of Powering Zimbabwe and Zambia’s Sustainable Energy Future: Unlocking Opportunities in Renewables, Grid Modernisation and Energy Access.

“The summit will provide a critical platform for international and local investors to learn about current and upcoming energy investment opportunities in the region and will provide the occasion to connect with potential new partners and to discuss new connections, with all relevant stakeholders in one place.

“We eagerly anticipate welcoming partners and developers from around the globe as well as our esteemed colleagues from both Zimbabwe and Zambia’s ministries and public sectors.

“This summit represents a significant step toward moving projects forward more effectively in the region.”

Zera chief executive officer Mr Edington Mazambani told Energy Net that the summit will provide a platform for Zimbabwe and Zambia to showcase the investment opportunities in their respective energy sectors to international investors from around the world.-chroncile