Government of Zimbabwe Commissions Dete Solar Mini-Grid to Accelerate Rural Electrification

21 May 2026, Dete, Hurungwe District, Mashonaland West Province – The Minister of Energy and Power Development, Honorable July Moyo (MP), today officially commissioned the 120kW Dete Solar Mini-Grid, a transformative renewable energy project that will expand access to clean, reliable electricity for rural communities in Hurungwe District.

The project, spearheaded by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) under the Rural Electrification Fund (REF) and supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), marks a significant milestone in Zimbabwe’s drive toward universal access to modern energy services by 2030.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, stakeholders highlighted the far-reaching socioeconomic impact of the mini grid, which is already providing electricity to key community institutions and households. These include:

•    Two schools and a clinic
•    Village homesteads and a business center
•    Community boreholes and local churches

Access to electricity is expected to significantly improve educational outcomes, healthcare delivery, and livelihoods while reducing the burden of traditional energy sources, such as firewood, particularly for women and girls.

Driving Inclusive and Sustainable Energy Access

The Dete Solar Mini-Grid is part of a broader effort to address Zimbabwe’s rural energy gap, where a large share of households still lacks access to electricity despite progress in urban areas. The project demonstrates the viability of decentralized renewable energy solutions, particularly solar mini-grids, as a sustainable pathway to electrify underserved communities while contributing to climate change mitigation.

Innovative Financing and Strong Partnerships
The project was implemented using a blended-finance model that combined public-sector leadership with development-partner support. UNDP provided catalytic funding of more than US$337,000 to procure key generation infrastructure, including solar panels, battery storage, and inverters. REA constructed a 5.9 km distribution network and installed smart prepaid meters to connect users. This Viability Gap Funding (VGF) model has been instrumental in reducing investment risk and enabling the successful deployment of the mini-grid, establishing a replicable framework for future projects nationwide.

Boosting Local Economic Activity
Beyond household electrification, the project is stimulating local economic development by powering small businesses and creating new income-generating opportunities.
Complementary solar energy kiosks installed in surrounding areas are supporting micro-enterprises, including phone charging, refrigeration, tailoring, and retail, directly benefiting local entrepreneurs, especially youth and women. 
Training programmes have also been implemented to equip community members with business and financial skills, ensuring long-term sustainability and economic empowerment.

Advancing National Vision 2030
The commissioning of the Dete Solar Mini-Grid aligns with Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy (NDS2), the Rural Energy Master Plan, and Vision 2030, all of which aim to transform the country into an upper-middle-income economy through inclusive growth and improved quality of life. The project also contributes to global commitments under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 7 on affordable and clean energy.

Background 
The UNDP Energy Offer Project, implemented over two years, accelerates access to sustainable, affordable, and clean energy and advances SDG targets in Zimbabwe. The project supports the country’s revised Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and Vision 2030 goals. It addresses the major urban-rural disparity, with over 91% of households in rural areas lacking electricity.     

Media Contact:
Itayi Usaiwevhu- Visibility and Communication Officer 
Email: Itayi.usaiwevhu1@undp.org  
           communications.zw@undp.org
Phone: +263783155823