Zimbabwe plans new regulations that will force major electricity users to monitor consumption, reduce waste and improve efficiency.
The Government is finalising new regulations that will require large electricity users in Zimbabwe to monitor, report and reduce their power consumption. The measures are aimed at cutting energy waste, easing pressure on the national grid and improving electricity supply reliability across the country.
The proposed rules will mainly target high-volume power users in sectors such as mining, manufacturing, agro-processing and large commercial operations. These businesses are expected to adopt structured energy management systems to improve how electricity is used in daily operations.
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Under the new framework, major companies will be required to install smart metering and monitoring equipment. They will also need to conduct regular energy audits, identify areas of waste and invest in energy-efficient technologies such as modern machinery, efficient lighting and automated control systems.
Energy and Power Development Permanent Secretary Dr Gloria Magombo announced the plans while speaking during the commissioning of the Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital LED Lighting Retrofit Project last week. She said the regulations would significantly change how major consumers use electricity.
“As Government, through our energy efficiency programme, we are working towards promulgating regulations that will ensure major users account for all the electricity they consume and put measures in place to reduce waste,” she said.
Under the system, large users will be expected to track where and how electricity is consumed within their operations. Companies will need to identify excessive use caused by outdated equipment, inefficient production processes or unnecessary lighting and then implement corrective measures.
The regulations are also expected to introduce reporting requirements. Businesses may be required to periodically submit data on energy use and improvements in efficiency so authorities can monitor compliance and compare performance across sectors.
Dr Magombo said electricity had for years been treated as a passive commodity, with little focus on cost or pressure placed on the national system. She said this approach is changing as Zimbabwe moves toward responsible management of energy resources.
“For many years, electricity was viewed as a passive commodity. People simply switched on power without considering the cost or the strain placed on the national system. That narrative is changing. We are moving from being passive consumers to becoming responsible custodians of our energy resources,” she said.
She added that the regulations would also bring direct financial benefits to companies. Lower power consumption and efficient systems could reduce electricity bills, allowing firms to direct savings toward expansion, wages, production and service delivery.
“When institutions and companies use efficient technologies, they reduce their electricity bills. Those savings can then be channelled into expansion, wages, production and service delivery,” she said.
Zimbabwe has faced periodic electricity shortages caused by ageing infrastructure, rising demand and limited generation capacity. This has made demand-side management increasingly important alongside projects aimed at expanding power supply.
Dr Magombo said new power stations and electricity imports remain necessary, but reducing wasteful consumption has become equally urgent. “We cannot rely on building new power plants alone. We must also reduce demand on the existing systems,” she said.
She described energy efficiency as the country’s “first fuel”, saying every unit of electricity saved increases available supply. “Every unit of electricity saved is a unit made available for industry, hospitals, schools and households. Energy efficiency is like creating a virtual power station,” she said.
Government has recently stepped up efforts to improve electricity availability through regional imports, rehabilitation of existing plants, renewable energy investments and greater private sector participation. Dr Magombo said some recent improvements in supply reliability were linked to conservation and efficiency measures already in place.
The new regulations are expected to reduce peak demand, limit load shedding, lower production costs for industry and delay the need for expensive emergency power generation. Officials say the measures will also align Zimbabwe with global best practice on energy efficiency and disclosure standards.
Dr Magombo urged households, offices and institutions to support the national effort by switching off unused appliances, lighting and air conditioning systems. She said reliable and affordable electricity will be important in helping Zimbabwe achieve upper-middle-income status by 2030.
