adminNqobile Tshili
THE government is targeting to power about two million rural homes using biogas by 2018 as it strives to ease the erratic power supply by providing alternative energy sources. Permanent secretary in the Ministry of Energy and Power Development Partson Mbiriri said this during the commissioning of a biogas digester at Mtshabezi High School in Gwanda District on Thursday.
“We’re targeting at powering two million homesteads by 2018. This will lead to the empowerment of rural communities through provision of modern facilities. This will reduce poverty through the creation of jobs,” said Mbiriri. “I would like to urge schools, clinics and other government institutions and rural households to take advantage of the rural electrification programme and raise their standards of living through maximum utilisation of the biogas technology.”
He said communities must be dynamic and explore other energy sources to counter power challenges being experienced countrywide. “Provision of energy to rural public institutions will no doubt bring numerous benefits to institutions and surrounding communities. Many people aren’t aware of the vast potential presented by biogas technology to solve energy problems encountered in both urban and rural communities,” said Mbiriri.
He said rural electrification was a major component of the government’s development agenda despite delays in its implementation due to economic challenges.
He called on other players to partner the government in implementing the programme. “We therefore, wish to encourage and call upon stakeholders, including the private sector, NGO community and other developmental agencies to partner with the Rural Electrification Fund in providing modern services to our rural communities,” said Mbiriri.
He urged communities to protect biogas infrastructure against vandalism. The Rural Electrification Fund is spearheading the biogas project at a time when the country is struggling to generate enough electricity from its existing power plants.
The country generates an average of 1,400 megawatts of electricity (MW) against an estimated demand of 2,200MW.
REF chairperson Willard Chiwewe said several biogas facilities have been constructed and more are underway.
“To date 33 institutional and 80 domestic biogas digesters have been constructed. 23 builders received training in the institutional biogas training while 24 have been trained in the domestic technology with assistance from non-governmental organisations,” he said.
Chiwewe said REF was committed to the development of the energy sector and incorporating previously neglected rural communities.
“In light of the challenges the country urgently needs sources of energy, which are affordable and sustainable, particularly to meet the energy needs of our rural communities,” he said.
The biogas projects are targeting rural institutions such as schools and hospitals countrywide.
Online Reporter