Story by Owen Mandovha, Business Reporter
SEVERAL foreigners are keen on investing in Zimbabwe’s renewable energy sector, which has a 2100-megawatt target for renewable energy generation by 2030.
The Solar Week held in Harare has attracted stakeholders in the renewable energy sector including foreign companies keen to contribute to the country’s target of 2100 megawatts in renewable energy by 2030.
“Conditions in this country are ideal for increasing use and generation of solar energy if you look at the amount of solar received each year. Technology in solar energy generation is advancing at a phenomenal rate reducing costs and increasing the efficiency of generation. We are looking at this market with keen interest,” said Chinese Solar investor, Mr Victor Musau.
Alliance Renewables director, Mr Naeem Patel said, “There has been a huge uptake in solar energy and consumers are realizing the dependability of solar as an alternative source of energy to meet their needs.”
The government says the target is attainable amid efforts to incentivise investment in the solar energy sector for residential and industrial energy use.
Director in the Ministry of Energy and Power Development Dr Sostein Huku said, “Solar has been considered the panacea to power outages by complimenting the government’s efforts which has set a target of generating 2100 megawatts from renewable energy by 2030. Currently, we are at 40 megawatts in total. However, we have seen the cost of solar installations and the government has also cut import duties on solar to increase the uptake and investment in renewable energy.”
Responding to questions during this week’s post-cabinet media briefing on Wednesday, Energy and Power Development Minister, Honourable Edgar Moyo revealed the government’s long-term plan to eradicate power outages.
“The eradication of power is a long-term process and the government has plans to do that and already new units in Hwange 7 and 8 are up and running. But the refurbishment of old units is also being done to give a new lease of life to increase energy generation,” he said.
Zimbabwe’s energy power demand is surging, owing to emerging heavy industrial users such as mines and manufacturing plants, with the current generation of between 1300 to 1500 megawatts falling short of national demand.
