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‘Going green’: Zimbabwe sets tone for

BY MTHANDAZO NYONI

As delegates gathered at the end of the fourth edition of the International Renewable Energy Conference and Expo 2023 in Victoria Falls on March 23, they were ready to adopt resolutions that would have a lasting impact on the country’s energy sector.

After hours of deliberations, the delegates at the premier event agreed to a number of resolutions that would help shape the energy industry.

One of the most significant resolutions was that the power utility Zesa Holdings should strengthen the grid and protect renewable energy plants from load shedding.

This would enable the renewable energy plants to supply enough power to the grid.

“Having observed that renewable energy power plants are experiencing challenges in evacuating power to the grid as evidenced by the visit to the five megawatts Solgas power plant, the developer is encouraged to seek additional funding to upscale these solar projects whilst the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) strengthens the grid and possibly ringfence these plants from load shedding,” read part of the resolutions.

Solgas, which aims to be a top producer of renewable energy services and products, partnered with Old Mutual to build a fivemegawatt (MW) facility close to Hwange.

Power from the plant is sold to ZETDC under a 25-year power purchase agreement.

The project, which is anticipated to have a 50MW installed capacity by 2025, might significantly contribute to addressing the country's crippling power shortages and lowering the amount of foreign currency used to import electricity.

Zimbabwe is experiencing protracted power outages, with domestic and business users occasionally experiencing blackouts lasting up to 18 hours each day.

The delegates also urged the Energy ministry to develop and launch an energy efficiency policy and e-mobility framework before June 2023.

It was suggested that feasibility studies should be conducted at the sites that have been identified in the Zambezi Basin.

The delegates were also in favour of the Soltrain, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and other partners' solar water heating business proposal, and urged the Energy ministry to seek funding for the National Solar Water Heating Programme.

The ministry was encouraged to review the solar water heating regulations to bring them in line with the constitution.

The power utility was urged to take advantage of the various rooftop and ground mounted systems installed by individuals, home owners, farmers and cooperates to

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2023-03-26T07:00:00.0000000Z

2023-03-26T07:00:00.0000000Z

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