Mthulisi Nxumalo

The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) has taken businesses and other electricity sector stakeholders through a raft of new regulations introduced in 2026, highlighting measures aimed at reducing investment costs, improving electricity safety, and protecting consumers.

The regulations were unpacked during an electricity regulations awareness workshop held at the Fairmile Regency Hotel in Gweru on Monday, with ZERA Chief Engineer – Electricity, Victor Sibanda, leading the session.

The workshop was part of ZERA’s efforts to raise awareness of the new regulatory instruments gazetted on July 31, 2026, which Sibanda said were designed with people, the environment, products and services, and economic affairs in mind.

Among the regulations highlighted was the Electricity (Licensing) (Amendment) Regulations, 2026, commonly referred to as SI 125 of 2026, which reduces license fees for commercial electricity projects by 50 percent.

The regulation also exempts electricity projects below 10 megawatts from paying license fees, a move intended to reduce the cost of doing business, encourage investment and improve affordability in the electricity sector.

Sibanda also outlined the Electricity (Export Control) Regulations, 2026, SI 118 of 2026, which establish limits on the amount of electricity that can be exported from Zimbabwe.

Under the regulations, electricity exports from any generation power station cannot exceed 30 percent of its available capacity, while retail supply licence holders are limited to exporting a maximum of 20 percent of their contracted capacity.

The export controls are intended to safeguard domestic electricity supply while allowing generators to participate in regional electricity markets.

The authority also highlighted SI 126 of 2026, the Electricity (Own Consumption Undertakings Licensing Capacity) Regulations, which provide a framework for registering electricity-generation projects established for own consumption.

Under the regulations, projects below 10MW intended for own consumption only need to be registered rather than going through the licensing process.

The measure aims to encourage private investment in self-generation, reduce pressure on the national grid, and support energy security for commercial, industrial, and institutional users.

The workshop also covered the Electricity (Electric Vehicle Charging Station Safety) Regulations, SI 120 of 2026, which introduce standards governing the establishment and operation of electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

The regulations seek to ensure safety, quality and compliance in the installation of charging stations as Zimbabwe moves towards greater adoption of electric mobility.

Another area covered was public electricity safety, with SI 121 of 2026 amending the existing regulations to address gaps identified in the 2018 framework.

The amendment provides greater clarity on definitions, strengthens qualification requirements and enhances safety and accountability mechanisms for consumers and electricity service providers.

Sibanda also explained the Electricity (Provision of Backbone Infrastructure) Regulations, SI 128 of 2026, which place obligations on property developers to provide backbone electricity infrastructure as part of the services to stands and plots offered for sale.

The regulations also allow independent distribution license holders to reticulate electricity in previously unserved areas, while providing for controls over charges imposed on consumers in secondary distribution areas.

Solar energy was another major area covered during the workshop, with the new Energy (Solar Products and Installation) Regulations seeking to address the influx of substandard solar products and installations carried out by unqualified personnel.

The regulations require solar products to have a Certificate of Conformity demonstrating compliance with the required safety and quality standards before they can be sold or distributed in Zimbabwe.

They also provide regulatory powers to inspect premises selling solar products, while establishing consumer protection measures for complaints and disputes between consumers and suppliers.

Solar products and consumer devices are required to comply with established Zimbabwe Standards and International Electrotechnical Commission standards.

The regulations further require people carrying out solar installation work to obtain a Solar Technician Certificate from recognized institutions.

Sellers of solar products are also required to provide minimum warranties for components, strengthening consumer protection and placing greater responsibility on suppliers to ensure the quality of products entering the market.

Meanwhile, amendments to the Electricity (Net Metering) Regulations, SI 127 of 2026, introduce virtual net metering and provide for the monetization of excess credits at the end of a billing cycle.

According to ZERA, the changes are intended to maximize the use of rooftop space for solar generation, particularly for consumers with multiple buildings and service connections, while reducing daytime electricity imports.

The workshop also covered the Energy Regulatory (Designation of Energy Source) Notice, SI 129 of 2026, which brings solar, wind, geothermal, biomass, biogas and waste into the regulatory framework as recognized energy sources.

The designation is intended to support product quality, consumer protection and environmental protection through regulatory compliance and enforcement.

ZERA said the awareness programme was intended to help stakeholders understand the new regulatory framework and its implications for the electricity and wider energy sector.

The regulations collectively introduce changes affecting electricity generation, investment, exports, self-generation, electric vehicle charging, electricity infrastructure, solar products, net metering and alternative energy sources.

For businesses and consumers, the changes mean that compliance, safety standards and consumer protection are increasingly becoming central to the development.