adminHerald Reporter
Zimbabwe yesterday received 525 mobile solar systems from China that will be used to electrify remote rural institutions not connected to the national electricity grid.
The solar systems will be distributed by the Rural Electrification Agency to identified satellite schools, clinics, police posts and agriculture extension offices.
Speaking during the handover ceremony in Harare yesterday, Chinese ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Lin Lin said the two countries would continue working closely until the country’s economic blue print, the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation, becomes a success.
He said the energy sector was critical in making the economic blue print fruitful.
“Following the harmonised elections last year, the Government of Zimbabwe came up with Zim Asset to revive the economy and improve the livelihoods of the people.
“As such we believe the energy sector is important as we know that power shortages have an adverse impact on development. They affect mining and agriculture which are pillars in making the economic blue print a success. We will do our part as China,” he said.
Ambassador Lin said the donation symbolised “profound and traditional relationship” existing between Zimbabwe and China.
“We have co-operation in all the economic sectors which have achieved remarkable success,” he said.
Energy and Power Development permanent secretary Mr Partson Mbiriri said the donation should not be a once off event,” he said.
“It should be followed with mechanisms to explore the setting up of joint local manufacturing or assembly activities for the general populace to benefit from these clean energy technologies. This will also ensure sustainability for the systems as after sales service and maintenance of the systems will be assured.
“This donation will go a long way in providing energy to our un-electrified institutions that are in dire need of clean energy for lighting and powering of gadgets.”
Mr Mbiriri said Zimbabwe’s solar radiation regime was being under-utilised.
“Zimbabwe has one the best solar radiation regimes in the world, with an average radiation of 2 100 kilowatt-hours per square meter per year,” he said.
“As a country we are under-utilising this resource as there is great potential for us to make solar energy part of our rural electrification programme through setting up of a number of applications from very small systems to large grid connected systems.”
Rural Electrification Fund Board chairman Engineer John Mberi said while REA would continue extending grid infrastructure to rural areas, emphases would also be on renewable energy technologies such as solar and biogas.
Online Reporter