Govt calls for increased investment in solar energy
Story by Tamuka Charakupa
THE Government has called for increased investments in solar power generation as a key enabler towards the attainment of Vision 2030.
Last year’s poor rainfall season saw the country’s key power-generating source, the Kariba Dam, struggling to keep up with the country’s power demand due to decreased water levels.
This resulted in increased load shedding which also ironically served as a wake-up call for the country to invest in alternative power generation methods.
Independent power producers (IPPs) are also coming on board, with the latest input being a 25-megawatt solar plant through the Nyabira Centegrid Photovoltaic Solar Power Plant.
“Power generation is not only a government issue alone, everyone has a role to play. We need electricity in business, we need electricity in our homes. To achieve the country’s Vision 2030, we need all hands on deck.
“I believe as the private sector we have the ability, agility and speed to advance that vision. We have upgraded our plant to 25 megawatts and now we are looking at the third phase where we want to take the plant to around 60 megawatts,” Centregrid Managing Director, Ms Timisela Zunguze.
The locally-funded solar power plant is part of efforts by the government and the private sector to embrace clean and renewable energy.
“Climate change ironically impacts low-emitting countries and this is despite contributing minimally to global emissions. We continue to face severe climate events that outstrip our capacity to adapt. So by going green, we are playing a part in reducing carbon emissions and at the same time utilising a free resource in abundance,” Centregrid Plant Engineer, Tariro Muko.
Mashonaland West Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Honourable Marian Chombo, who toured the plant this Tuesday, is upbeat increased investment in solar accelerates the country’s modernisation and industrialisation agenda.
“As the government, we remain open to investments of this nature because the NDS1 regards energy as a key enabler in the acceleration of the country’s modernisation and industrialisation agenda, as well as sustainable socioeconomic growth.
“I am happy that the Province is the country’s leading power supplier and the increasing number of IPPs is critical in supplementing power deficits experienced due to low water levels in Kariba. This is a locally funded plant and this dovetails with the mantra of the President that ‘Nyika Inovakwa NeVene Vayo.”
The government is implementing various strategies which include the National Energy Efficiency Policy with a target of boosting renewable energy capacity to 1 100 megawatts by 2025 and 2 100 megawatts by 2030.
