(CAP. 13:19 Electricity (Energy Management) Regulations, 2026

The Minister of Energy and Power Development, after consulting ZERA, has made energy management regulations for designated facilities — factories, mines, farms and commercial and institutional buildings with an installed capacity of at least 100kVA, or that are maximum demand customers of a distribution licensee. ZERA will rate each facility's energy performance from A (above 1.3 times the national benchmark) to E (below 0.5).

The owner or occupier must develop an energy management policy in line with ZWS ISO 50001 and file it with ZERA for approval — within twelve months of the regulations for existing facilities, and before connection for new ones. They must appoint a ZERA-licensed energy manager, set up an energy management committee drawn from all levels of the organisation, and keep five years of records of electricity, fuel and water use, production or occupancy, and site plans.

A licensed energy auditor must audit the facility at least every three years under ZWS ISO 50002, with the report sent to ZERA within 30 days; ZERA may verify the audit or order it redone under supervision, and may carry out its own audit at its own cost on 14 days' notice. Within three months of an audit the facility must submit a three-year energy efficiency investment plan, which may be considered for funding from a revolving energy savings fund, and must realise at least 50% of the identified savings within three years. Facilities file annual implementation reports within 30 days of year-end and energy use returns quarterly and annually within 14 days. Savings must be measured and verified by licensed professionals using ISO 50015, IPMVP or ASHRAE Guideline 14.

Industrial equipment may not be imported, sold, leased or used unless it meets the minimum energy performance standards and the importer or manufacturer has a certificate of conformity from an authorised testing centre. The standards cover air conditioners and heat pumps, commercial chillers, distribution transformers, three-phase motors, compressed air systems, steam boilers and water heaters, fans and blowers, pumps, and industrial stoves and ovens.

Energy auditors (Category A or B), energy managers, measurement and verification professionals and audit firms must be licensed by ZERA for three years, and energy service companies must register. The licence fee schedule is partly illegible in the published text; legible amounts run from about US$60 to US$300, with higher fees for international applicants. Working without a licence, failing to submit an audit report or denying ZERA access carries a fine up to level 5, up to six months' imprisonment, or both.