Zimbabwe and Zambia are going through a deepening vitality disaster, exacerbated by decreased electrical energy era capability and crippling droughts within the area.

The two international locations are set to convene for the vitality tasks summit from November 18 to 21 in Victoria Falls to deal with the pressing requires funding in renewable vitality sources and grid modernisation.

Accordingly, the summit will run below the theme Powering Zimbabwe and Zambia’s Sustainable Energy Future: Unlocking Opportunities in Renewables, Grid Modernisation, and Energy Access.

On Wednesday, the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) Holdings cited a technical fault at Hwange Power Station and low water ranges at Kariba Power Station as key components contributing to the present energy scarcity.

“ZESA Holdings want to advise its valued stakeholders that the nationwide energy grid is presently experiencing decreased electrical energy era capability on account of a technical fault at Hwange Power Station.

“This has been additional compounded by low era capability at Kariba Power Station, ensuing from low water ranges.

“Our technical teams are actively working to resolve the fault at Hwange to minimize the impact on our customers. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused,” ZESA mentioned.

The upcoming Zimbabwe-Zambia vitality tasks summit goals to unlock alternatives in renewables, grid modernisation, and vitality entry.

The area’s vitality woes have been compounded by devastating droughts, which have highlighted the necessity for state of affairs planning and funding in grid infrastructure.

The summit, held below the theme “Powering Zimbabwe and Zambia’s Sustainable Energy Future,” will deliver collectively key stakeholders, together with ministries, utilities, regulators, vitality organizations, and worldwide buyers.

Discussion subjects will give attention to creating a sexy vitality funding vacation spot, leveraging progressive renewable vitality options, and establishing a transparent danger mitigation framework.

The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority chief govt officer Edington Mazambani mentioned: “Together, we’ll discover the huge alternatives in renewables, modernise our grids, and guarantee vitality entry for all.

“Let us unite in our vision to power Zimbabwe and Zambia’s sustainable energy future, unlocking potential for growth, innovation, and collaboration.”

Manoj Patil, Director of Mining Engineering Services, a Vinmart Group Company, and a sponsor of the summit mentioned the occasion will unlock alternatives for the 2 international locations.

“Having supported the mining sector in DRC for 14 years, we welcome this opportunity for the important conversations that will unlock opportunities in energy and infrastructure across Zimbabwe and Zambia, and power a sustainable future,” mentioned Patil.

Zimbabwean companies, comprising main miners, producers, and large-scale agricultural companies, are grappling with debilitating energy outages lasting as much as 18 hours day by day.

Despite beneficial 2024/2025 agricultural season forecasts, predicting regular to above-normal rainfall, Zimbabwe’s financial sector struggles with pervasive energy disruptions. This has extreme implications for productiveness.

Key industries, together with mining giants resembling Impala Platinum, Anglo American Platinum, and Sibanye-Stillwater, undergo important losses in manufacturing and income on account of extended energy outages.