The fight is not to ban coal, says Minister

Zimbabwe's Energy and Power Development Minister, July Moyo, has emphasized that the country's focus should not be on phasing out coal, but rather on finding smarter and cleaner ways to utilize it. 
Speaking during a visit to Hwange Power Station, Moyo urged the energy sector to accelerate innovation and adopt technologies that reduce coal's environmental impact without compromising energy security.
"The fight is not to ban coal," Moyo said. "The fight is how to find methods - technological methods - to have clean coal so that we can continue to use this resource in Zimbabwe."

Zimbabwe is endowed with significant coal reserves, especially in Hwange, which remain central to the nation's power generation strategy. Despite global pressure to move away from fossil fuels, persistent energy deficits and rising demand from the mining and industrial sectors have compelled the government to continue investing in thermal power expansion.

"We must continue to use this resource because it is abundant and we think that it can transform our country," Moyo stated, underlining coal's key role in Zimbabwe's developmental agenda.

At the same time, the minister acknowledged the importance of diversifying the energy mix, highlighting ongoing investments in hydroelectric power and other renewable sources. "Of course we must continue to look for other alternatives just to diversify, just like we are doing with hydro," he said.

Moyo's remarks come amid tightening global financing for fossil fuel projects, a trend that increases the urgency for coal-dependent economies like Zimbabwe to modernize infrastructure, invest in emissions-reducing innovations, and build a skilled workforce to support a cleaner energy transition.

This call by the minister signals a shift in approach - one that does not ignore coal's environmental challenges but insists on technological innovation to reduce its footprint while sustaining the country's energy needs.