Hydro· IPP / PPP / BOOT Featured

Zambezi River Hydroelectric Development

Up to 5 GW along the Zambezi River

Large-scale hydroelectric generation along the Zambezi — 5 GW of run-of-river and storage potential to anchor Zimbabwe's Vision 2030 base load and export into SAPP.

Overview

Zimbabwe currently relies heavily on hydro and thermal power stations for production. The Zambezi River basin offers up to 5 GW of hydroelectric potential — a strategic base-load asset to close the current ~1,100 MW deficit and support Vision 2030's 4,000 MW+ demand outlook. Projects can be structured to sell into ZETDC or export via the Southern African Power Pool.

Investment Opportunity

Investors partner with government agencies under PPP/BOOT structures to develop new run-of-river or storage schemes along the Zambezi. Tariffs are negotiated with ZETDC on a cost-reflective basis and approved by ZERA, or agreed bilaterally with regional off-takers.

Independent Power Producer (IPP)Public Private Partnership (PPP)BOOT

Market Opportunity

Zimbabwe's electricity demand.

Demand-supply gap

~1,100 MW

Between 2,600 MW built supply and ~1,500 MW average generation.

Mining sector demand

2,000 MW by 2025

Intensive-energy users led by mining houses and manufacturers.

Industrial capacity

60% utilisation

Manufacturing constrained by power availability.

Agricultural capacity

50% utilisation

Irrigation and agro-processing require reliable base load.

Corporate off-takers

100+ intensive users

Mining and manufacturing companies open to direct PPAs.

Why Invest

Why Zimbabwe's energy market.

5 GW of hydro potential concentrated on the Zambezi River.

Firm, dispatchable renewable base load — ideal for anchor PPAs.

Regional export upside through the Southern African Power Pool.

Tax holidays for BOT and BOOT structures.

100% profit repatriation and non-expropriation guarantees.

Aligned with Zimbabwe's Renewable Energy Policy (2023) and Carbon Credit Policy (2023).

Infrastructure & Resource Base

Existing grid and generation potential.

Built Supply

2,600 MW installed capacity

Current Generation

~1,500 MW average

2030 Demand

>4,000 MW required (Vision 2030)

Solar Potential

109 GW · among Africa's highest irradiation

Wind Potential

39 GW

Hydro (Zambezi)

5 GW

Mini-Hydro

150 MW across inland water bodies

Geothermal

50 MW

Energy Imports

Balance imported from ESKOM (South Africa), HCB & EDM (Mozambique), ZESCO (Zambia)

IPP Tariff Range

USD 0.06 – 0.12 / kWh to ZETDC · unregulated for private off-takers

Investment Incentives

Fiscal and regulatory incentives.

Tax holidays for BOT and BOOT deals

100% repatriation of profits

Duty-free importation of selected Renewable Energy Technologies

Duty-free importation of energy-generating equipment

Government guarantees for non-expropriation

Newly updated Renewable Energy Policy (2023) and gazetted Carbon Credit Policy (2023)

Approval Process

The IPP investment pathway.

ZIDA's One Stop Investment Services Centre (OSISC) handholds investors through onboarding, establishment and aftercare.

01
Land Acquisition
Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water & Rural Development; Ministry of Local Government & Public Works; or private landowner
02
Company Registration
Registrar of Companies
03
Business Plan & Feasibility Study
Investor
04
Grid Impact Assessment (GIA)
ZETDC
05
Environmental Impact Assessment
Environmental Management Agency (EMA)
06
Investment Licence
ZIDA
07
Generation Licence
ZERA
08
Power Purchase Agreement & Tariff
ZETDC or private off-takers

Register interest in Zambezi River Hydroelectric Development.

Submit your details to receive the full information pack and arrange an introduction with power sector counterparts, ZETDC and ZERA. Every enquiry is reviewed personally by the Invest Zimbabwe team.

Contact Invest Zimbabwe

investors@investzimbabwe.co

Response time

Within one business day

For institutional & IPP investors

Infrastructure funds, utilities, DFIs and sovereign wealth