FOR companies looking to maintain a competitive edge in 2025 and beyond, a robust energy strategy is no longer optional — it is a necessity, according to an independent consultant.
In today’s rapidly changing business landscape, Solarpro chief executive officer Nyasha Chasakara said the challenges of climate change were no longer distant threats — they were immediate realities.
“Look at Zimbabwe’s energy mix today compared to 10 years ago. Rising temperatures, unpredictable weather patterns, and increasing pressure on energy resources are driving up costs across industries,” he wrote in his latest report. “For businesses, this has a direct impact on operations, profitability, and long-term viability.”
Energy is one of the most significant operational expenses for many companies, and with fluctuating electricity tariffs and the ever-present risk of grid instability, the cost of doing business is rising.
But this challenge also brings an opportunity: the chance to rethink how energy is sourced, managed and consumed, Chasakara noted.
According to the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency, the total installed capacity for generation of electricity from all sources is 2 600 megawatts (MW).
It noted that 70% of this is currently thermal generation. However, on average actual generation is around 1 500MW each year.
This has been reduced further over the years as a result of reduced production from Kariba Dam, the main source of Hydro power in the country.
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Demand for electricity is strong in Zimbabwe.
The mining sector, which accounts for 13% of GDP, has been growing strongly over the past few years. The sector is projected to require about 2 000MW by the year 2025.
The agricultural sector, constituting about 12% of the country’s GDP, is operating at only 50% capacity, presenting a significant opportunity for growth and increased demand.
Total demand for power in Zimbabwe is estimated at 4 000MW per annum providing real opportunities for investment into electricity generation, Chasakara said.
“The global transition toward sustainability isn’t just about corporate responsibility; it’s about survival. Businesses that fail to adapt risk falling behind in a world where efficiency, innovation, and resilience are key,” he said.
The consultant said energy prices were volatile and, in many regions, climbing. This, according to him, affects bottom lines, particularly for energy-intensive sectors like mining, agriculture, manufacturing, hospitality and retail.
“By adopting strategies that focus on efficiency and renewable energy integration, companies can mitigate these costs and protect their margins. Which sector are you in and how are you managing the energy situation?” he said. “In Zimbabwe, frequent power outages and an overreliance on diesel generators are crippling businesses. Diesel costs, maintenance expenses, and productivity losses during downtimes create unnecessary strain.
“Companies with diversified energy sources — such as solar with battery storage — are better equipped to handle these challenges. It’s encouraging to see many companies responding to calls to go solar, especially those in the agriculture sector.”
In 2025, Chasakara said companies that integrate energy strategy into their business planning would be better positioned to thrive.
“The time to act is now. By prioritising energy, businesses can reduce costs, improve sustainability, and play their part in addressing one of the greatest challenges of our time,” he said. “The path forward is clear: energy strategy is no longer just an operational consideration — it’s a cornerstone of business strategy.
“The world is changing, and companies must change with it. Prioritise energy in your 2025 strategy, not just to protect your bottom line but to contribute to a more sustainable future for us all.”
Gloria Magombo, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Energy and Power Development, told businessdigest in an interview that the government was evaluating wind resources at about five sites.
Once the sites are fully evaluated and their capacities defined, they will be put out to tender.
“We have also identified about five or so sites again for mini-grids which we believe from programmes to do with energy access. The private sector can also come in and be part of the provision of the solution,” she said.
“We have also looked at wind projects which we are hoping that, whilst private sector are pursuing their own wind projects and doing the wind resource assessment, as government we are also doing that so that we also understand the wind profiles and we can then come up with a whole suite of projects which can then be tendered out for the procurement of new capacity.”
