ZIMBABWE, like many developing nations, faces a complex energy dilemma. On one hand, it must address acute power shortages that hamper industrialisation, economic growth and quality of life.
On the other hand, it must transition to a sustainable, low-carbon energy future in line with global climate change commitments.
Historically reliant on hydro and thermal power, Zimbabwe’s energy mix remains fragile and insufficient. In recent years, the government has expressed growing interest in nuclear energy as a long-term solution to meet energy security and environmental sustainability goals.
As the world increasingly explores nuclear power’s potential in the post-fossil fuel era, this article examines the prospects, challenges and implications of nuclear energy adoption in Zimbabwe.
It explores Zimbabwe’s current energy landscape, evaluates the role of nuclear energy in its national strategy and discusses the economic, environmental, and policy considerations critical to its implementation.
Zimbabwe’s current energy landscape
Zimbabwe faces a persistent electricity supply gap. The country generates around 1 200MW against a demand exceeding 1 700MW, leading to widespread load shedding. Key sources include:
Hydropower (mainly Kariba Dam): 1 050MW capacity (often reduced due to drought).
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Thermal power (Hwange and small plants): 670MW capacity, but old and inefficient.
Renewables: Largely underdeveloped despite high solar potential.
Economic and developmental impact
Energy shortages have severely impacted:
Manufacturing and mining sectors — major GDP contributors.
Agriculture, particularly irrigation.
Health and education services are reliant on electricity.
Investment attractiveness, due to infrastructure uncertainty.
Without a stable energy supply, Zimbabwe's National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) goals and Vision 2030, to become an upper-middle-income economy, remain at risk.
The case for nuclear energy in Zimbabwe
Unlike hydropower or solar, nuclear power provides a constant base-load energy supply, unaffected by weather or daily cycles. A single large nuclear reactor can generate over 1 000MW continuously, helping to bridge Zimbabwe’s energy gap.
Climate commitments
Zimbabwe is a signatory to the Paris Agreement, pledging to reduce carbon emissions by 33% per capita by 2030. Nuclear energy produces near-zero carbon emissions during operation, aligning with global climate goals.
Industrialisation and urbanisation
As urbanisation and industrial demand increase, nuclear energy offers a scalable, high-capacity solution to meet energy-intensive needs without the pollution associated with coal.
Government strategy and regional alignment
Zimbabwe has shown policy-level interest in nuclear energy, marked by:
Engagements with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Bilateral co-operation agreements, notably with Russia’s Rosatom.
Inclusion of nuclear in the long-term energy strategy under NDS1.
In 2021, Zimbabwe signed agreements with Russian and Chinese partners to explore nuclear science and technology co-operation, signalling a shift from exploration to potential development.
Regional and continental context
Within Africa, nuclear adoption is gaining momentum:
South Africa operates Africa’s only nuclear power plant (Koeberg).
Egypt is constructing its first nuclear plant with Russian assistance.
Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria are exploring nuclear programmes.
Zimbabwe’s interest aligns with the African Union Agenda 2063, which encourages energy innovation and continental co-operation.
Technical and infrastructural considerations
Human capital and skills gap:
Nuclear energy requires a highly specialised workforce in —
Nuclear engineering and reactor operations.
Radiation safety and waste management.
Regulatory compliance and security.
Zimbabwe currently lacks significant nuclear engineering capacity, necessitating investment in education and international training partnerships.
Infrastructure and site selection
Nuclear power plants need:
Stable geology (low seismic risk).
Proximity to water sources for cooling.
Strong national grid to distribute power.
Feasibility studies must identify suitable sites, considering environmental and social impacts. Infrastructure upgrades to the grid and transport networks are also necessary.
Regulatory and safety framework
Zimbabwe must establish an independent, well-resourced nuclear regulatory body, guided by:
IAEA safety standards.
National radiation protection legislation.
Regional nuclear safety agreements (eg, African Regional Cooperative Agreement for Research, Development and Training Related to Nuclear Science and Technology — AFRA).
This body oversees:
Licensing.
Inspection and compliance.
Emergency preparedness.
Public awareness and risk communication
Nuclear projects require public trust. Historical accidents (for example, Chernobyl, Fukushima) fuel scepticism. The government must:
Educate the public on nuclear safety and benefits.
Involve communities in site decisions.
Build transparency in environmental and risk assessments.
Financing and international partnerships
High capital costs:
A nuclear power plant costs between US$5 and US$10 billion, depending on size and technology. Zimbabwe's economy may not support such cost alone. Thus, financing models could include:
Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs).
Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) agreements.
Long-term concessional loans.
Strategic partnerships
Zimbabwe’s co-operation with countries like Russia, China, India and South Korea is key for:
Technology transfer.
Capacity building.
Access to nuclear fuel supply chains.
Multilateral institutions such as the IAEA and the African Development Bank (AfDB) can offer technical guidance and partial funding support.
Environmental and waste management issues
Radioactive waste disposal:
Nuclear waste is a long-term concern. Zimbabwe must:
Establish a radioactive waste management policy.
Create secure waste storage facilities.
Join international waste monitoring regimes.
Water usage and environmental impact
Nuclear plants consume large amounts of water for cooling. Site planning must ensure:
Sustainable water access.
No competition with agricultural or municipal use.
Protection of biodiversity and ecosystems.
Alternative nuclear technologies
Zimbabwe can also consider emerging nuclear technologies, including:
Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)
SMRs produce 50–300MW and offer:
Lower upfront costs.
Faster construction timelines.
Modular deployment across remote areas.
SMRs are increasingly viewed as suitable for developing countries with smaller grids or limited financial capacity.
Nuclear for non-energy applications
Beyond power generation, nuclear technologies can support:
Medical imaging and cancer treatment.
Food irradiation to preserve crops.
Desalination in water-scarce regions.
This makes nuclear adoption even more relevant to Zimbabwe’s development agenda.
Risks, criticisms and alternatives
Risks and challenges
Nuclear proliferation concerns.
Safety and accident risks.
Long lead times (8–15 years before operation).
Uncertain public acceptance.
The role of renewable energy
Some argue that Zimbabwe should focus on:
Expanding solar, given high insolation levels.
Developing biomass and wind.
Investing in battery storage and smart grids.
While renewables are crucial, their intermittency and scalability limitations mean they may complement rather than replace nuclear energy.
Conclusion
Zimbabwe’s pursuit of nuclear energy represents a bold and forward-looking strategy to achieve energy independence, climate resilience and industrial competitiveness. However, the path is complex and requires:
- Robust policy and regulatory foundations.
- International collaboration and capacity building.
- Transparent public engagement and risk management.
- Balanced integration with renewable energy development.
Done right, nuclear energy can serve as a transformative pillar of Zimbabwe’s long-term development. It offers the potential to power not just homes and factories, but also the country’s vision for a green, inclusive and prosperous future.
- Alexander Maune (PhD) is an IoDZ member as well as a Talmudic and Zoharic scholar, researcher and consultant. Mailto:alexandermaune6@gmail.com.
