The Zimbabwean government has announced plans to explore nuclear energy as a potential solution to the country’s persistent energy shortages.
The country’s energy shortages are attributed to aging equipment at the Hwange Power Station, vandalism and the El Niño induced drought, which has seen water levels reducing at Lake Kariba.
Minister of Energy and Power Development, Edgar Moyo, revealed Zimbabwe’s interest in joining the nuclear energy club for peaceful purposes during a parliamentary session. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is providing guidance throughout the process.
“The other area is on nuclear,” the Minister stated.
“As Zimbabwe, we have expressed our interest to the International Atomic Energy Agency of our desire to get into nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. They are with us and they are taking us through.
“Committees have been set up, which are looking into that and there are milestones that we have to meet as a country before we get to the stage of developing small modular reactors so that our contribution to the clean energy mix is heightened.
“So, we hope these are some of the things, programmes and projects which are going to increase our contribution to the energy mix of clean energy.”
According to the World Nuclear Association, the first commercial nuclear power stations started operation in the 1950s. Nuclear energy now provides about 9% of the world’s electricity from about 440 power reactors.
Nuclear power also provides about one-quarter of the world’s low-carbon electricity and is the second largest source of low-carbon power.
Over 50 countries utilise nuclear energy in about 220 research reactors. In addition to research, these reactors are used for the production of medical and industrial isotopes, as well as for training.
The Zimbabwean government has also encouraged industries, particularly mining and manufacturing, to develop their own power generation systems.
Ferrochrome smelters have agreed to generate their own power by 2025. Additionally, the ministry is promoting renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power.
A feasibility study on floating solar systems on Lake Kariba, funded by the African Development Bank, is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2025.
“So, if you put that together, it represents quite a significant contribution of solar into the national mix. There is also a programme that we are working on through Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) and as council of ministers which is a bi-national body bringing together Zambia and Zimbabwe,” Moyo said.
“We have commissioned a study which is being financed by AFDB to look at the viability of floating solar systems on Lake Kariba.
“That is ongoing and it is our timeline that by the first quarter of 2025, that feasibility study will be complete and then that will help us to commence works on floating solar systems on Lake Kariba.”
Zimbabwe’s ongoing power crisis, characterized by rolling blackouts of up to 16 hours a day, is severely impacting businesses. Companies are spending hefty amounts on fuel for generators.
This has driven up production costs, making goods expensive and unsustainable. The cost of using alternative energy sources is nearly 50% higher than conventional electricity.
For instance, Simbisa Brands, a major fast-food chain, spends between US$280,000 and US$300,000 monthly on fuel, while TM Pick n Pay used 2.04 million liters of diesel at a cost of US$3 million in 2023.
Industries such as mining, hospitality, and agriculture are feeling the pinch. The Bakers’ Association of Zimbabwe consumes up to 100,000 liters of fuel per month (US$163,000), while NetOne’s fuel consumption has increased by 20%.
Econet Wireless Zimbabwe has invested in 150 new generators, bringing its total to 1,450 sites supported by diesel generators.
Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority’s power generation woes are attributed to low water levels at Lake Kariba and financial difficulties in meeting US$160 million monthly loan repayments to Chinese lenders, totaling US$1.5 billion.
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