Zimbabwe has announced a strategic partnership with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Russian investors to explore the development of nuclear energy, aiming to resolve the country’s long-standing electricity shortages. Government officials revealed the news on Thursday, outlining a plan to diversify the nation’s energy sources and increase capacity.
The Zimbabwean government is particularly interested in small, modular nuclear reactors, which are seen as a potential solution to the country’s chronic power supply issues. Edgar Moyo, Zimbabwe’s Minister of Energy and Power Development, expressed confidence in the collaboration, stating, “Our international partners have shown a strong commitment to guiding us through the process, ensuring we achieve our energy goals.” Moyo also highlighted the importance of nuclear energy in Zimbabwe’s long-term plans to stabilize the power sector.
While nuclear energy holds promise, experts have raised concerns about the substantial costs, complexity, and potential corruption risks associated with nuclear power projects. Joseph Siegle, director of research at the Africa Center for Strategic Studies in Washington, stressed the importance of transparency. “These types of large-scale projects can often become sources of financial mismanagement and corruption, both within the country and in dealings with external contractors,” Siegle warned. He also noted that any funding for such initiatives would ultimately need to be borne by the Zimbabwean public.
Zimbabwe’s energy ambitions are reflected in its target to achieve 4,000 megawatts of installed power capacity by 2035. This is part of the government’s broader strategy to end the frequent power outages that currently affect the population, sometimes lasting up to 18 hours a day. However, Siegle suggested that Zimbabwe’s energy requirements may not justify the construction of a large-scale nuclear facility, citing the country’s relatively low energy demand compared to other nations with more extensive grids. He also pointed out that the issue of nuclear waste management—requiring thousands of years for safe disposal—remains a significant challenge globally.
Alongside nuclear power, Zimbabwe is increasing its focus on renewable energy as part of a diversified energy strategy. Gloria Magombo, the Secretary for Energy and Power Development, emphasized that the country is expanding its renewable energy portfolio to include solar, wind, and mini-hydro projects. The government aims to add 2,000 megawatts of renewable energy capacity by 2030, an effort driven in part by the country’s vulnerability to droughts, which have impacted its hydropower generation capacity.
Despite a current power generation capacity of 2,600 megawatts, Zimbabwe’s daily electricity output is only around half that amount, highlighting the severity of the ongoing power crisis. With these initiatives, Zimbabwe hopes to reduce its reliance on imports and ensure more consistent energy access for its citizens.