This is behind Botswana's 45 percent, South Africa's 76 percent and Mauritius' 99,4 percent. The low level of access to electricity in Zimbabwe is largely due to higher than expected demand growth and power projects that have stalled at pre-feasibility stage.
This information was made available in a presentation by DBSA energy specialist, Jean Madzongwe, at the Zimbabwe Energy and Power Conference held in October.
Estimations by AfDB show that Zimbabwe requires around $2 billion over the next 10 years for energy infrastructure refurbishment.
There have been very large reductions in the supply of power within Zimbabwe in the past decade. The domestic generation has been reduced owing to lack of regular maintenance and imports have been cut back because of the inability of Zesa to settle its bills regularly.
Electricity is fundamental to Zimbabwe's economic and social development, hence the persistent lack of adequate and reliable supply has resulted in significant losses to the economy.
Post published in: Business