(CAP. 13:19 Electricity (Provision of Backbone Infrastructure) Regulations, 2026

The Minister of Energy and Power Development, after consulting ZERA, has made regulations on electricity infrastructure in new developments. They apply to local authorities, land developers and independent distribution licensees.

Every land developer must provide the electricity backbone infrastructure for its stands — medium and low voltage lines, transformers, mini-substations or feeder pillars, service connection points and metering-ready interfaces, trenching and cabling, and protective structures — entirely at its own cost, which cannot be recovered from the utility. Before starting, the developer must notify the primary distribution licensee with the Surveyor-General-approved layout (on paper and in GIS format) and get approval, register wayleaves and easements at the Deeds Office, and use consultants and contractors registered with the licensee. No stand may be sold, leased or otherwise disposed of until the developer has fully complied. Non-compliance can lead to suspension or revocation of the development permit, withholding of rates clearance or subdivision approval, and penalties.

Once the works are inspected and certified — within 14 working days of the developer reporting completion — the developer transfers them free of charge to the primary distribution licensee, which takes over operation and maintenance. The developer gives a five-year warranty. The regulations name ZETDC as the licensed utility and sole owner of backbone infrastructure. Local authorities must check compliance before issuing development permits and keep a register; stand owners pay the approved connection fees; and whoever initiates a subdivision or consolidation pays to reroute existing lines.

Private companies can be licensed to supply unserved areas as independent distribution licensees, chosen by competitive tender run by ZERA with the energy ministry and ZETDC (scored 30% cost, 40% technical capacity, 30% financial capacity). Licences run for a renewable 25 years and cover metering, billing, operation and maintenance; licensees may buy bulk power, buy from independent producers or generate their own under a generation licence. Financial close must come within six months and the project within twelve months after that. End-user tariffs may not exceed the primary distribution licensee's standard tariffs.

Contraventions carry a fine up to level 5, up to six months' imprisonment, or both. The regulations define high, medium and low voltage using thresholds of 0.65kV and 0.25kV.