CAPE TOWN, South Africa, October 3, 2025/ — Zimbabwe’s Minister of Power and Energy Development, July Moyo, has underlined that baseload power remains fundamental for Africa’s industrial ambitions, insisting that renewable energy alone cannot sustain the continent’s rapid development needs.
Speaking at African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies 2025, the Minister stressed that heavy industries such as mining, steel production, and large-scale manufacturing require constant and reliable supply, which only a strong baseload power foundation can deliver.
Minister Moyo noted that Africa’s energy discourse has become increasingly dominated by renewable energy expansion, which he acknowledged as a positive and necessary development.
Solar, wind, and hydropower are now being adopted at unprecedented levels across the continent. Yet, despite these advances, he warned that Africa must not ignore the critical role of baseload power in sustaining essential industrial operations and ensuring energy stability.
“Recent years have witnessed an increasing trend – the rise of renewable energy technologies,” he said. “However, industries that form the backbone of economic growth need constant and high-capacity electricity. The challenge is finding the right balance between scaling renewables and maintaining sufficient baseload power.”
The Minister urged policymakers, investors, and development partners to treat renewable energy as complementary rather than a replacement for conventional systems. He pointed out that without adequate baseload power, economies risk instability, job losses, and reduced competitiveness in global markets.
According to him, it is not about choosing one pathway over another, but about integrating both in a manner that ensures consistent delivery to industries and communities alike.
Zimbabwe, like many African nations, has faced power shortages that directly impact productivity. Minister Moyo emphasized that securing dependable baseload power is central to addressing these gaps.
While solar farms and wind parks provide cleaner, locally generated energy, they are subject to intermittency. Steel plants, mines, and factories cannot simply power down when the sun sets or when wind conditions shift. In this light, baseload power from gas, coal, nuclear, and hydropower must remain an integral part of the energy system.
He also highlighted the socioeconomic consequences of overlooking baseload power. Without reliable electricity, schools, hospitals, transport systems, and digital infrastructure face disruptions.
This in turn slows investment and undermines Africa’s goal of achieving inclusive growth. By contrast, strengthening the baseload power foundation, while continuing to expand renewable energy, ensures both sustainability and stability.
At African Energy Week, leaders, investors, and industry experts discussed the continent’s urgent need for diversified energy strategies. Minister Moyo’s message added weight to the consensus that Africa cannot afford to neglect baseload power if it hopes to industrialize effectively.
He encouraged collaborative approaches that pool public and private resources, enabling infrastructure projects that guarantee consistent supply while advancing clean energy technologies.
In conclusion, Minister Moyo reaffirmed Zimbabwe’s commitment to a pragmatic energy mix. Renewables will grow and play a key role in rural electrification, climate resilience, and localized generation.
Yet, the long-term success of Africa’s economic transformation hinges on solid baseload power. With rising global demand for African minerals and manufactured goods, he said, reliable energy is non-negotiable. “Only by ensuring strong baseload power alongside renewables can Africa meet its industrial and social ambitions,” he concluded.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.
baseload power
Secondary keyphrases:
African Energy Week
renewable energy balance
industrial growth Africa
energy security Zimbabwe
Meta description: Zimbabwe’s Energy Minister July Moyo stresses that baseload power is essential for Africa’s industrial growth, calling for a balanced energy mix where renewables complement, not replace, conventional generation.
About The Author
