ZIMBABWE Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera) chief executive officer Edington Mazambani says the upcoming Zimbabwe-Zambia Energy Projects Summit set to be held in Victoria Falls next week embodies its commitment to a sustainable future.
The summit will run under the theme Powering Zimbabwe and Zambia’s Sustainable Energy Future: Unlocking Opportunities in Renewables, Grid Modernisation and Energy Access.
It will run from November 18 to 21.
“Together, we will explore the vast opportunities in renewables, modernise our grids and ensure energy access for all. Let us unite in our vision to power Zimbabwe and Zambia’s sustainable energy future, unlocking potential for growth, innovation and collaboration,” Mazambani said in a statement
Manoj Patil, director of Mining Engineering Services, a Vinmart Group Company, said: “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.”
Under the official patronage of Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Energy and Power Development for 2024, the summit will unveil energy project plans from both countries.
The statement said the Zambia Environmental Management Agency’s recent investment of US$1,76 billion into the energy sector underlines the urgent need for energy expansion in the region.
Devastating droughts across eastern and southern Africa have set a context for why scenario planning is so vital, with the potential of dams regularly running dry, it said.
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Bilateral and regional infrastructure will be critical to countering the impact and to reduce dependence on dominant energy sources, it added.
The need for urgent grid infrastructure investment is just one of the topics to be discussed. Other topics set to drive change this November include creating an attractive energy investment destination and using innovative and profitable renewable solutions to meet universal access targets, benefiting industries and consumers.
By bringing key energy players together, in one place, with one goal, the summit is set to drive projects in both countries more quickly to financial close and establish a clear pathway for risk mitigation.
The summit will connect Zimbabwe and Zambia’s ministries, utilities, regulators and energy organisations, with international private sector stakeholders, institutional investors, private financiers, service and technology providers.
Speaking on behalf of Marsh, Mortimer McKechnie, senior vice president, Energy & Power Leader, Africa, said: “This is an opportunity to come together, share experiences and think innovatively. Linking capital and mitigating risk can boost development for both countries and Marsh is very excited to be part of this summit.”
The bi-annual conference, held in partnership with international finance institutions and the private sector, aims to accelerate project financing and establish a clear risk mitigation framework for Zimbabwe and Zambia.
Discussion topics will focus on creating an attractive energy investment destination and leveraging innovative, profitable renewable energy solutions to achieve universal access.
