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Luthando Mapepa
Chipinge Correspondent
AT least 19 schools in Manicaland have been capacitated with biogas digester plants as Government continues to invest in green energy as part of its efforts to address power challenges.
The programme is being spearheaded by Rural Electrification Fund (REF) which is targeting more schools to use waste in generating energy.
Chibuwe High School in Chipinge is one of the latest schools to benefit from Government’s green energy investment programmes following the construction of a biogas plant meant to alternate power usage at the school.
The development has been commended by the local community as a viable waste management initiative.
In an interview, the school head, Mr Needmore Maposa, said the biogas plant investment dovetails with Government’s devolution mantra of fully utilising locally available resources.
“We were destroying huge tracks of forest for energy in the school kitchen. This investment is eco-friendly since our community and school have a lot of animal waste from pigs, cattle and donkeys which can be channelled to the plant.
“The bio-waste which is produced at the school was underutilised and we will use energy produced from waste alongside electricity. The green energy will assist us in the kitchen and our laboratories. Above that, we have a horticulture project which will benefit immensely since the discharge slug will be utilised as liquid fertiliser.
“We are grateful for this project as the school will save money which can also be channelled towards other projects,” said Mr Maposa.
REF technical expert, Mr Edson Tiyani said the programme is aimed at empowering public institutions to produce energy at their premises.
“We have so far set up biogas plants at 19 schools across Manicaland Province. This programme is being implemented by Rural Electrification Fund (REF) as part of the programme of generating green energy in public institutions.
“The programme is ongoing and we are trying to promote green energy in the country so that we complement other power producers,” he said.
Biogas is an environmentally friendly renewable energy source produced by the breakdown of organic matter such as food scraps and animal waste.
Online Reporter