As of 2023, Zimbabwe's electricity consumption presents a mixed landscape with a significant reliance on diverse sources. More than half of the country's electricity, approximately 55%, is derived from low-carbon sources, with hydropower contributing to a substantial 53% of the total electricity mix. Meanwhile, fossil fuels account for about 26% of the electricity consumed, all of which is generated from coal. Notably, a considerable portion, around 19%, of the country’s electricity is met through net imports, illustrating the country's dependency on external sources for energy security. Biofuels, though considered low-carbon, contribute only a marginal 1% to the overall electricity generation.
Is Electricity Growing in Zimbabwe?
Despite the various sources contributing to Zimbabwe’s energy mix, the overall electricity consumption per capita in Zimbabwe shows a worrying decline. In 2023, Zimbabweans consumed an average of 625 kWh of electricity per person, a significant reduction from the historic peak of 1102 kWh per person set in 1987. This decline of 478 kWh per person represents a substantial decrease in energy usage, indicative of stagnation rather than growth. Similarly, the current contribution of low-carbon electricity per capita stands at 343 kWh, a drop from the earlier record of 568 kWh per capita in 1980, signaling a decrease of 225 kWh per person. These figures highlight a concerning trend in the accessibility and generation of electricity, especially the cleaner variants, in Zimbabwe.
Suggestions
To enhance its low-carbon electricity generation, Zimbabwe can look to the successful models of other countries and tailor these insights to their context. Learning from countries like Morocco, where wind energy constitutes 21% of their electricity mix, could inspire increased investments in Zimbabwe’s own wind energy potential. Additionally, the embrace of solar energy, as evidenced by countries like Somalia with solar accounting for 17% of their electricity generation, could be pivotal for Zimbabwe. With its abundant sunshine, Zimbabwe possesses significant potential for solar energy development. Emulating the successful integration of solar and wind energy seen in these countries would help Zimbabwe reduce its reliance on coal and imports, contributing to a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.
History
Historically, Zimbabwe's low-carbon electricity generation has experienced fluctuations, primarily driven by changes in hydroelectric output. Throughout the early 1980s, there were modest declines, such as a decrease of 0.5 TWh in 1982 and 0.6 TWh in 1987. Constrained variations continued into the 1990s with notable reductions of 1.2 TWh in 1991 and 1.1 TWh in 1993. The situation improved towards the late 1990s, as evidenced by an increase of 1 TWh in 1990 and a surge of 0.9 TWh in 2002. In the more recent decade, Zimbabwe saw both increases and declines, with 2016 witnessing a significant drop of 2 TWh followed by a recovery of 2.1 TWh in 2021. While there was a slight decline in 2023 with a reduction of 0.4 TWh, the fluctuating history underscores the pressing need for Zimbabwe to diversify its low-carbon energy sources and achieve a more stable and sustainable increase in electricity generation.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.