Zimbabwe energy mix & electricity
Power plants in Zimbabwe produced 10.3 TWh of electricity in 2024. More than half of it, 55.6%, came from hydropower; coal was a distant second with 42.9%.
Electricity generation by source in 2024
Share of electricity generation by source, with the change in percentage points over the last ten years.
| Source | TWh | Share | 10-yr Δ pp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hydro | 5.7 | 55.6% | +0.5 |
| Coal | 4.4 | 42.9% | −1.7 |
| Bioenergy | 0.12 | 1.2% | +1.1 |
| Solar | 0.04 | 0.4% | +0.4 |
| Total | 10.26 | 100% |
Zimbabwe: electricity in context
Power plants in Zimbabwe produced 10.3 TWh of electricity in 2024. That is similar to Côte d'Ivoire. More than half of it, 55.6%, came from hydropower; coal was a distant second with 42.9%.
57.1% of the country’s power came from renewable sources: 52nd of 158 countries. This puts it 23 points above the world average of 33.8%. It is also above the average for Africa (24.7%). Each kilowatt-hour emitted on average 384 g CO₂e, against a world average of 458 g. That makes the grid somewhat cleaner than the world average. On carbon intensity, Zimbabwe ranks 75th of 158 from the cleanest.
Since 2014, the fastest-growing source has been hydropower: its output rose by 270 GWh, lifting its share by 0.5 percentage points. Measured by share of the mix, bioenergy gained most, up 1.1 percentage points. Taken together, the renewable share rose by 1.9 percentage points over the decade. Total generation grew by 400 GWh over the same period.
With 42.9% of electricity still from coal (16th-highest share worldwide), decarbonising power is a long road for Zimbabwe.
Wind and solar remain marginal in Zimbabwe, together supplying under 1% of electricity.
Zimbabwe generates 617 kWh of electricity per resident each year, 16% of the global average. Imports cover around 15% of demand: Zimbabwe bought 1.8 TWh more electricity than it exported.
How the power mix has changed
Electricity generation by source since 2000. Switch to shares to see the structural shift independent of demand growth.
Renewables and carbon intensity
Zimbabwe against the world and Africa averages.
Total energy: beyond electricity
Primary energy covers transport, heating and industry too. Per person, that is 3,181 kWh a year (world: 21,654).
Domestic extraction of coal, gas and oil, in energy terms.
Power plants in Zimbabwe
The WRI Global Power Plant Database lists 2 utility-scale plants in Zimbabwe with a combined capacity of 1.7 GW. Coal plants account for the largest slice (55% of listed capacity). The biggest single plant is Hwange Coal Power Plant Zimbabwe (920 MW, Coal). The database was last updated in 2021, so newer wind and solar farms and rooftop PV are under-represented.
Largest power plants
| # | Plant | Fuel | Capacity MW | Commissioned | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hwange Coal Power Plant Zimbabwe | Coal | 920 | — | — |
| 2 | Kariba Dam South Hydroelectric Power Station Zimbabwe | Hydro | 750 | — | — |
Source: WRI Global Power Plant Database v1.3 (CC BY 4.0). Explore all 2 plants on the interactive power plant map.
Solar & wind farms: Zimbabwe
104 utility-scale facilities tracked by Global Energy Monitor (2026): 98 MW of solar and 0 MW of wind operating, plus 4.2 GW under construction or planned.
How does Zimbabwe compare?
Zimbabwe next to 6 neighbouring countries, plus regional and world averages. Click a column to sort; use “Compare” for full side-by-side charts.
| Country | Renewable % | Low-carbon % | Fossil % | gCO₂/kWh | kWh / person | Generation TWh | Mix | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zimbabwe | 57.1% | 57.1% | 42.9% | 384 | 617 | 10.3 | — | |
| South Africa | 13.6% | 17.8% | 82.2% | 699 | 3,749 | 243 | Compare | |
| Mozambique | 83.4% | 83.4% | 16.6% | 129 | 571 | 19.8 | Compare | |
| Zambia | 87.5% | 87.5% | 12.5% | 120 | 925 | 19.7 | Compare | |
| Botswana | 0.3% | 0.3% | 99.7% | 851 | 1,361 | 3.4 | Compare | |
| Eswatini | 96.7% | 96.7% | 3.3% | 131 | 491 | 0.6 | Compare | |
| Malawi | 95.6% | 95.6% | 4.4% | 55 | 85 | 1.8 | Compare | |
| Africa average | 24.7% | 25.5% | 74.5% | 544 | 635 | 962 | Compare | |
| World average | 33.8% | 42.6% | 57.4% | 458 | 3,860 | 31,772 | Compare |
Calculators for Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe energy: frequently asked questions
What percentage of electricity in Zimbabwe is renewable?
What is the main source of electricity in Zimbabwe?
How clean is the electricity in Zimbabwe?
Does Zimbabwe have nuclear power?
How much electricity does Zimbabwe use per person?
How much solar power does Zimbabwe produce?
Does Zimbabwe import electricity?
More countries in Africa
Sources & references
- Our World in Data: Energy dataset (CC BY 4.0) — compiled from the sources below
- Ember: Yearly Electricity Data — generation, shares, carbon intensity
- Energy Institute: Statistical Review of World Energy — primary energy, fossil production
- U.S. Energy Information Administration: International Energy Data — gap-filling for smaller countries
- World Resources Institute: Global Power Plant Database v1.3 (CC BY 4.0) — power plant locations and capacity
Electricity data: Ember and Energy Institute Statistical Review via Our World in Data (CC BY 4.0); latest year 2024. Power plants: WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0). Rankings exclude systems under 1 TWh and values older than 2020. Figures may be revised by the original publishers.