Extensive use of firewood leads to deforestation and the electricity production capacity is too low for the current level of consumption.
Zimbabwe has one hydropower plant and four coal-fired generators that produce a total combined capacity of 2,240 megawatts (MW).
[7] An ambitious project to produce 20% of the country's liquid fuel as ethanol from cane has been started in Chipinge, Manicaland.
The governmental owned Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) is the country's power generating and distributing company.
Imports of energy from neighbouring countries are not enough to solve the undercapacity problem and lack of electricity hampers economic growth.
However, the nation's current economic condition makes adequately rapid solar power buildups seem unrealistic, short of capital infusions and technology transfers from the developed world economies.
A project in partnership with the United Arab Emirates will result in the construction of a 2,000 MW solar power plant, built in two phases.