Story by Sifiso Sibanda, Assistant News Editor
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has rallied continued investments in the energy sector saying such efforts are increasing installed power generating capacity through construction of new power plants.
He was speaking at the 720 megawatt Titan New Energy Thermal Power Plant Ground-Breaking Ceremony in Hwange this Monday.
He said Zimbabwe has a clear road map to achieving energy self-sufficiency as the country inches towards a future driven by innovation.
This was President Mnangagwa’s rallying point at the ground-breaking ceremony which marked the start of construction of the 720-megawatt power project financed by Titan New Energy Company in collaboration with the AfroChine and Dinson.
“These vital projects also reaffirm Zimbabwe’s commitment to achieve energy self-sufficiency and determination to leap towards a future driven by innovation. In doing so, maintaining an intricate balance between green energy and traditional sources remains of utmost priority in our country’s energy generation strategy.
“Through mutually beneficial private-public sector cooperation the quest to realise a diversified energy mix is coming to fruition. The multi-pronged energy projects across the sector are poised to transform the landscape of electricity generation in line with aspirations under Vision 2030 as well as the recently launched Energy Efficiency policy,” said the President.
The President said the coming in of Titan New Energy, Dinson, and AfroChine is yet another milestone in the country’s journey towards modernisation, industrialisation and sustainable socio-economic development, anchored on a robust energy sector.
“My administration continues to ensure the right policy framework to accelerate the diversification of the energy portfolio to avert energy poverty. These relate to ease of doing business with regard to competitive tariffs for independent power producers, permit acquisition, grid connections, and supply chain facilitation. The sector is assured of government support to build a more resilient energy sector that enables green industrialisation as we redefine our future.”
President Mnangagwa, who is also the SADC chairperson, underscored the importance of energy in the regional integration agenda.
He said, “While the region has abundant energy resources ranging from solar to wind, and hydro to gas, there is a need for greater investments. This must see the sector fully harnessing the potential of the region’s energy endowments towards achieving universal access to modern energy services. According to the African Development Bank, the overall hydropower potential in SADC member states is estimated at 1.100 terawatt-hours per year, capacity being utilised at present is still under 50 terawatt-hours per year. Further, there is a need for the region to focus on increasing, not only generation capacity but also the uptake of renewable energy. This will ensure that SADC is able to achieve a sustainable energy mix.”
The government is on a drive to attract investment in the energy sector, a catalyst to sustainable socio-economic development, industrialisation and modernisation.
