---
title: "Econet Wireless Zimbabwe Adds Solar Power to Cut Faults"
description: "Econet Wireless Zimbabwe is rolling out solar and long-duration batteries after AI analysis linked nearly 60% of network faults to power disruptions."
canonical_url: "https://liners.com/news/econet-wireless-zimbabwe-solar-battery-ai-network-faults"
markdown_url: "https://liners.com/news/econet-wireless-zimbabwe-solar-battery-ai-network-faults.md"
type: "article"
language: "en"
published_at: "2026-09-08T14:56:52.392Z"
updated_at: "2026-09-08T14:56:55.469Z"
---

# Econet Wireless Zimbabwe Adds Solar Power to Cut Faults

Econet Wireless Zimbabwe is rolling out solar and long-duration batteries after AI analysis linked nearly 60% of network faults to power disruptions.

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- [Econet Wireless Zimbabwe Adds Solar Power to Cut Faults](/news/econet-wireless-zimbabwe-solar-battery-ai-network-faults)

## Content

## In Short
Econet Wireless Zimbabwe is using AI insights to guide a new power programme. It will add solar systems and long-duration battery storage across its network. The goal is to cut power-related network faults sharply within a year.

## What Happened
Econet Wireless Zimbabwe, part of [Econet Wireless](/econet-wireless), says it is rolling out a power infrastructure programme to reduce dependence on the national electricity grid.

The decision followed AI-driven analysis by Econet engineers. AI here means software that finds patterns in large data sets, similar to an automated analyst. Econet says the analysis showed close to 60% of network faults were triggered by electricity interruptions, including long blackouts and short power fluctuations lasting seconds.

These disruptions affect base stations, switching centres, and data centres. When those sites lose stable power, customers can see dropped calls, slower internet speeds, and interruptions to digital services.

Econet says it is installing solar power systems and longer-lasting battery storage across its network. Batteries are meant to keep critical equipment running during power cuts and voltage swings.

A major project in the plan is a 100-megawatt solar power and battery storage facility. Econet says the site will supply power to switching and data centres in Harare. The operator will remain connected to the national utility, ZESA, but expects grid power to become a backup over time.

Econet InfraCo CEO Fayaz King said implementation was progressing and could be “locked down” within six months. He said the company aims to reduce power-related network faults to below 10% by this time next year.

## Why It Matters
Telecom network quality often depends on steady power as much as it depends on radio coverage. In markets where grid reliability is uneven, operators spend heavily on generators, fuel, and maintenance.

If Econet’s solar and battery rollout performs as planned, it could improve uptime for voice, mobile data, and digital services. It may also lower exposure to fuel costs and reduce operational downtime at critical network sites.

The move also shows how AI can be used for infrastructure planning, not just customer-facing chatbots. In this case, analytics is being used to pinpoint root causes and target capex, meaning long-term investment in physical assets like power and storage.

## Sources and products

- [cite.org.zw](https://cite.org.zw/econet-turns-to-ai-and-solar-power-to-improve-network-quality)
- [Econet Wireless](/econet-wireless)

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- [Infrastructure](/news)

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