Zimbabwe Developers Required To Build Power Infrastructure Before Selling New Stands Under New Law
Property developers in Zimbabwe will now be responsible for financing and constructing electricity backbone infrastructure for new projects before they can sell or lease stands.
The new requirements, introduced through Statutory Instrument 128 of 2026, are aimed at ensuring that new residential and commercial developments have adequate power infrastructure in place before occupation.
Under the regulations, developers who fail to comply risk having their projects halted, permits suspended and facing possible criminal charges.
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No Stand Sales Before Power Connections Are Completed
The new law prohibits developers from disposing of stands until all required electricity infrastructure has been installed, inspected and certified by relevant authorities.
Developers will be required to build complete power networks at their own cost before handing them over to the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC).
The completed infrastructure must be transferred to the national power utility at no charge, while developers will remain responsible for a five-year warranty covering the installed equipment.
Councils Given Enforcement Powers
Local authorities have been granted powers to take action against developers who ignore the new electricity requirements.
Councils can suspend development approvals, stop land subdivision processes and refuse to issue rates clearance certificates to companies that do not meet the regulations.
The measures are expected to prevent situations where residents move into new developments without reliable electricity connections due to incomplete infrastructure.
Non-Compliant Developers Face Legal Action
The regulations introduce penalties for individuals and companies that violate the requirements.
Those found guilty of breaching the law could face fines of up to Level 5 or imprisonment of up to six months.
Authorities will also have greater oversight over electricity infrastructure standards in new developments to ensure compliance before projects progress.
Private Players Allowed Into Electricity Distribution Sector
The new regulations also create room for private companies to participate in Zimbabwe’s electricity distribution sector.
Independent power distributors will be allowed to operate through renewable 25-year licences issued through a competitive bidding process.
However, private operators will not have freedom to charge unlimited tariffs, as electricity prices for consumers will be capped.
The charges imposed by private grid operators cannot exceed standard ZETDC tariffs approved by the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA).
The changes are expected to encourage investment in electricity infrastructure while expanding access to power across new developments.
The post Zimbabwe Developers Required To Build Power Infrastructure Before Selling New Stands Under New Law appeared first on iHarare News.
