‘Renewable energy could end Zim energy poverty’
SOWELL CHIKWARI
Power Giants Group says Zimbabwe can end energy poverty if the government expedites the adoption of a policy promoting the use of sustainable renewable energy to mitigate the crippling power crisis.
Power Giants Group’s transmission director for Southern Africa, Engineer Edzai Kachirekwa, said the adoption of clean energy options such as solar will also complement the government’s climate change mitigation and adaptation thrust as stipulated in the National Development Strategy (NDS1).
“It is fundamental for the Government of Zimbabwe to spearhead the adoption of solar-powered infrastructure inorder to ameliorate the prevailing acute power shortages,” Kachirekwa told Business Times.
He added: “Policymakers should enhance support for the installation and operationalisation of solar systems across the entire country.
“It is a travesty that the nation is missing out on this vast potential hence robust action should be taken urgently to set the right trajectory.”
Zimbabwe is battling a crippling power crisis owing to low electricity generation capacity at State-owned power utility ZESA’s power plants at Hwange, Kariba, Bulawayo, Munyati and Harare.
ZESA generates less than 1000 megawatts (MW) daily against a national demand at peak periods of
2 500MW.
Yesterday, Hwange Power Station, the country’s largest coal-fired power plant, Bulawayo Power Station did not generate electricity due to breakdowns while Kariba South Hydro Electric Power Plant generated 853MW.
Munyati Power Station and Harare Power Station generated 14MW and 11MW respectively.
To cover for the gap, Zimbabwe imports electricity from South Africa power utility, Eskom , Mozambique’s Hydro Cahora Bassa and ZESCO of Zambia.
Kachirekwa said the country’s energy requirements can be met or surpassed if the government adopts a sustainable renewable energy policy.
He said policymakers should enhance support for the installation and operationalisation of solar systems across the entire country.
He added that, “with the co-option of renewables in the energy mix, Zimbabwe can become self-reliant in energy and power generation, a move which could help propel the resuscitation of local industries.
Energy and Power Development permanent secretary Patson Mbiriri is also on record saying “The Government is losing millions of dollars in servicing outdated machinery that is being used by the national power utility in generating electricity hence the government remains committed to supporting renewable energy proposals and projects with minimal bureaucracy.”
