Sinokubonga Nkala
Nqobile Bhebhe, [email protected]
A CONSORTIUM of local and foreign investors has commenced work on the Lubimbi coal-bed methane (CBM) gas field in Matabeleland North Province, a development hailed as a game-changer for Zimbabwe’s energy sector, Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube has revealed.
Coal-bed methane, a natural gas trapped in coal seams, is recognised as a highly efficient and environmentally friendly fuel for power generation. Zimbabwe boasts an estimated 40 trillion cubic feet of potentially recoverable gas in the Lupane-Lubimbi area, making it one of the largest CBM deposits in Southern Africa.
Zimbabwe’s energy demand far exceeds its generation capacity. With a peak electricity demand of 2 200 megawatts (MW) and an average generation of 1 300MW, the country faces a significant power deficit.
Achieving the Government’s Vision 2030 goal of becoming an upper-middle-income economy hinges on substantial increases in power generation.
Tapping into CBM reserves could bridge this energy gap, providing a reliable and sustainable solution to meet the nation’s growing electricity needs.
Speaking in Parliament last Thursday, Prof Ncube underscored the importance of CBM in Zimbabwe’s energy strategy. While declining to name the investors involved, he confirmed that work has already begun in the Lubimbi area.
“In terms of investors in the area, there is an investor who has already started operations in the Lubimbi area. I know them, but I cannot disclose their name in Parliament just like that. What I can say is that it’s a partnership between a local investor and foreign investors. They appear serious, and we are optimistic about progress in tapping into methane gas,” said Prof Ncube.
He was responding to a question from legislator Dr Thokozani Khupe, who had asked about progress in finding an investor.
“This resource can change our country’s fortunes. It has the potential to generate 6 000MW of electricity, create thousands of jobs, produce tonnes of fertiliser, and position Zimbabwe as a powerhouse in Africa,” Dr Khupe said.
She urged the Ministry of Energy and Power Development to prioritise securing major investors to unlock the resource’s potential.
“So I would like to implore the Minister to say please can you yourselves and the Ministry of Energy and Power Development invest most of your time in making sure that you find a big investor so that we start tapping on this resource which has not been tapped for a long time.”
Prof Ncube also outlined plans for exploration, emphasising the need for collaboration between the Government and the private sector.
He suggested leveraging the expertise of the Zimbabwe National Geospatial and Space Agency (ZINGSA) for cost-effective real magnetic exploration of CBM resources.
“Certain private sector institutions have come forward to seek contracts with the Government, arranging PPPs with the Government to do exploration. It is a major exercise, not a small matter.
“Also, we have been investigating as Government, whether we can make use of ZINGSA for real magnetic exploration of the resource, which we think will be cheaper,” he said.
