By Flata Kavinga
Midlands Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Owen Ncube has called on the Ministry of Energy and Power Development to scale up the implementation of climate-smart and energy-efficient programmes as Zimbabwe moves to reduce electricity imports, energy costs and carbon emissions.
Speaking during his welcome remarks at the Ministry of Energy and Power Development’s 2026 Strategic Planning Workshop in Kwekwe, Ncube said the nation’s energy sector must prioritise technologies and practices that support sustainable economic growth.
Ncube urged the ministry to “intensify implementation of climate-smart, energy-efficient programs,” emphasising the need for broad stakeholder awareness on renewable energy sources and improved industrial technologies.
He said greater uptake of high-efficiency equipment, strengthened infrastructure maintenance and rehabilitation and enforcement of existing regulations — including the Inefficient Lighting Products Ban and Labelling Regulations — were key to reducing national energy losses.
The minister commended the Ministry of Energy and Power Development for ongoing efforts to stabilise energy supply and demand, noting that improved electricity availability had contributed to increased industrial capacity utilisation in the Midlands Province.
According to Ncube, the province’s average capacity utilisation has risen from about 30 percent before 2017 to 52 percent, partly due to improved energy supply nationwide. He also highlighted recent developments in the national energy sector, including gas discoveries in Muzarabani, new solar mini-grids, and the expansion of thermal and hydro-power generation.
Ncube encouraged participants at the workshop to deliberate openly and craft strategies aligned with national, sectoral and provincial priorities as the country transitions from the National Development Strategy 1 to NDS2.
“As you deliberate during this workshop, I urge you all to share ideas openly and constructively,” he said, adding that the strategies developed should accelerate tangible outcomes that support Zimbabwe’s broader development agenda.
He reaffirmed the Midlands Province’s commitment to supporting the ministry’s programmes and projects, saying collaborative efforts were essential in advancing the national energy agenda.
The workshop brought together government officials, stakeholders and energy sector representatives to review progress and set priorities for the 2026 planning cycle.
