Zimbabwe’s current electricity crisis has forced businesses and households to resort to alternative sources of power including generators and solar.
However, according to the Environmental Management Authority (EMA), one needs a licence to operate a generator over 100kVA.
EMA has since ordered a Harare resident to pay a fine of ZWL$100 000 for illegally operating “an air polluting appliance (generator) without a licence”.
EMA said the fixed penalty of (ZWL$100 000), is prescribed in terms of Section 64 of the Environmental Management Authority Act.
The authority warned the offender that failure to pay the fixed environmental penalty within 7 days by 20 February 2023, will result in an application by EMA for a warrant of their arrest.
According to a notice issued by EMA, owners of generators with an installed capacity of 100kW and above should be licenced. It reads in part:
… it is necessary that all standby generators in Zimbabwe be registered with the Authority and all operators of generators with an installed capacity of 100kW and above be licensed, so that safety compliance can be monitored.
This is therefore to notify and advice the public that in terms of the law under the said Act:
a) All owners of electricity generators equipment are required to register their generators with the Authority.
b) All operators of generating equipment of installed capacity of 100 kW and above are required in terms of Section 40 of the Act, to apply to the Authority for a licence.
c) Companies operating private distribution networks should, in terms of Section 40 of the Act, apply to the Authority for a licence to operate such networks
To download the EMA standby generator registration and licencing form, click here.