Global GridZimbabwe's energy mix and electricity
🇿🇼 In 2024, Zimbabwe generated 10.3 TWh of electricity. The largest source was hydro at 56%, followed by coal (43%) and bioenergy (1.2%). In total, 57% came from low-carbon sources (nuclear and renewables) and 43% from fossil fuels.
On average, each kilowatt hour produced about 384 grams of carbon dioxide (CO₂), below the world average of 458 grams in 2025. That makes Zimbabwe the 75th cleanest of 158 countries that generate at least 1 TWh a year.
Electricity demand was 12.1 TWh. Zimbabwe imported 1.84 TWh more electricity than it exported, equal to 15% of its demand.
Since 2000, electricity generation has grown by 47%, from 6.99 TWh. The low-carbon share went from 46% to 57%. The biggest rise was in hydro, from 46% to 56% of generation. The biggest fall was in coal, from 53% to 43%. Carbon intensity fell from 476 to 384 grams per kWh.
Live, hour-by-hour figures for Zimbabwe are not connected yet. The dashboard shows its yearly figures, energy mix since 2000 and interconnector trade.
Energy mix in 2024
- Hydro 56%
- Coal 43%
- Bioenergy 1.2%
- Solar 0.4%
| Source | Share | Generated |
|---|---|---|
| Hydro | 56% | 5.73 TWh |
| Coal | 43% | 4.42 TWh |
| Bioenergy | 1.2% | 0.12 TWh |
| Solar | 0.4% | 0.04 TWh |
Energy security score
Strong. Zimbabwe ranks 67th of 158 countries and 15th of 35 in Africa. The score shows how well a country could keep electricity affordable and on if fuel supplies were disrupted. It is based on 4 of the 5 measures.
| Measure | Score |
|---|---|
| Produces its own energy No reliable figure exists for Zimbabwe, so this measure is left out and the other four count for more. | n/a |
| Variety of power sources How evenly generation is spread across nine sources. The largest, hydro, made 56%. | 57 |
| Little reliance on imported power Net imports were 15% of demand; each 1% takes off 2 points. | 70 |
| Low-carbon power Nuclear and renewables made 57% of generation. | 57 |
| Low gas and oil use Gas and oil made 0% of generation; the score is 100 minus that share. | 100 |
The five measures are weighted 30%, 20%, 20%, 15% and 15%. How the score works.
How it has changed
| Year | Generated | Low-carbon | Fossil | CO₂ g/kWh |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 6.99 TWh | 46% | 54% | 476 |
| 2005 | 9.36 TWh | 53% | 47% | 420 |
| 2010 | 8.64 TWh | 68% | 32% | 293 |
| 2015 | 9.59 TWh | 52% | 47% | 420 |
| 2020 | 6.71 TWh | 59% | 42% | 371 |
| 2023 | 9.99 TWh | 56% | 44% | 392 |
| 2024 | 10.3 TWh | 57% | 43% | 384 |
Questions about Zimbabwe's energy
What is Zimbabwe's energy mix?
In 2024, Zimbabwe's electricity came from hydro 56%, coal 43% and bioenergy 1.2%.
How much of Zimbabwe's electricity is renewable?
57% of its electricity came from renewables in 2024 (hydro 56% and bioenergy 1.2%).
What is Zimbabwe's main source of electricity?
Hydro, which made 56% of its electricity in 2024.
How clean is Zimbabwe's electricity?
About 384 grams of CO₂ for each kilowatt hour in 2024, below the world average of 458 grams. It ranks 75th cleanest of 158 countries that generate at least 1 TWh a year.
Does Zimbabwe import electricity?
Yes: in 2024 it imported 1.84 TWh more than it exported, 15% of its demand.
How secure is Zimbabwe's energy supply?
Global Grid's energy security score for Zimbabwe is 70 out of 100 (strong), 67th of 158 countries. It looks at how much of its own energy it produces, how varied its power sources are, its reliance on imported power and its use of low-carbon power, gas and oil.
Other countries in Africa
Sources: Ember yearly electricity data (CC BY 4.0), figures up to 2024. Ember's latest-year figures are first estimates and may be revised. TWh: terawatt hours (one billion kWh).