Nyanga South legislator, Supa Mandiwanzira, has called for the increased use of coal to generate electricity, arguing that it is the key to reducing power costs and driving economic growth in Zimbabwe.
Speaking recently, Mandiwanzira stressed that the global transition towards renewable energy should not come at the expense of affordability for the country’s citizens and industries.
“We must be realistic. Electricity costs should not cripple our economy,” Mandiwanzira said. “We have vast coal resources that we should harness to power our economic growth, just as coal fueled Europe’s economic rise.”
Mandiwanzira highlighted concerns from local mining companies, which are struggling with high electricity tariffs. “Miners currently pay 12 cents per kilowatt-hour, but they want that cost reduced to 6 cents to remain profitable. Lower electricity tariffs will allow them to expand operations, employ more people, and unlock new mining areas,” he explained.
The legislator emphasized that coal-based energy offers a practical solution to meet these demands, ensuring cheaper power for industrial growth. He argued that by maximizing the country’s abundant coal reserves, Zimbabwe could lower electricity costs to below 6 cents per kilowatt-hour, which would provide a significant boost to both the mining sector and the broader economy.
