Story by Tichaona Kurewa
Kachechete area in Matabeleland North province, has benefited from a smart energy project after the commissioning of 24 biogas digesters.
The initiative aligns with the country’s Renewable Energy Policy, which prioritises the development of clean energy sources and comes on the back of the commissioning of other biogas digesters in Sizinda early this year.
Brought by Wild Horizons and Rotary Club of Victoria Falls in partnership with the local community, the biogas projects in Kachechete ward have excited villagers under Chief Mvuthu who are self-assured of the benefits of smart technology to the environment and communities.
“We are happy about the biogas digesters which have reached our village, life has been made easy. This will also reduce human-wildlife conflict as we are sometimes injured by wild animals in the forest,” said a villager.
“For the girl child, it means she has time for school work and is less exposed to abuse when fetching firewood, We thank our partners for bringing this technology to our doorstep,” added another.
Biogas digesters do not only contribute to a greener environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions but also empower communities by decreasing their dependence on non-renewable forms of energy.
Chief Mvuthu’s representative, Silibaziso Mlotshwa said, “We are surrounded by designated forest areas where we cannot just go to fetch firewood. We are only allowed in there on Thursdays which may not be enough to cater for our needs, so the coming in of biogas digesters will help close the gap and protect the much-needed forests. We thank our partners for coming up with this initiative.”
“We always believe that sustainability is the way to go and then we decided to assist communities to save our climate. As a company we are developing a sustainability strategy to ensure that saving the climate starts with our communities,” noted Mr Tendani Nemalwondo of Wild Horizons.
Lanforce Energy’s chief operating officer, Mr Victor Tarirayi added, “A biogas digester is cost effective, once installed it will cut costs. For instance, a household of six which may require US$30 of gas or electricity will no longer need that kind of money monthly instead, the money will be channelled to other needs such as school fees.”
With a lifespan of over 20 years, biogas digesters capture methane gas produced by the decomposition of organic waste such as cow dung, which also provides bio-fertiliser and pesticides.
Biogas is used for cooking, heating, lighting, electricity generation and powering vehicles, reducing reliance on traditional sources such as firewood, fossil fuels and chemical fertilisers.
