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Latwell Nyangu
GOVERNMENT has approved the National Energy Efficiency Policy aimed at instituting energy efficiency programmes to promote sustainable development.
This was revealed by the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr Jenfan Muswere, during the Post-Cabinet briefing.
“Cabinet considered and approved the National Energy Efficiency Policy and the overall goal of the National Energy Efficiency Policy is to institute energy efficiency programmes in order to promote sustainable development as the country transitions to an Upper Middle-Income Society in line with the objectives of Vision 2030.
“The policy is built on the principles of development, sustainability, affordability, accessibility, gender equity and employment creation.
“The objectives that will be employed to stimulate energy efficiency include to promote and ensure a comprehensive, integrated and well-informed energy efficiency strategy for effective socio-economic development.
“There is also need to establish the roles and responsibilities for implementing various energy efficiency initiatives and interventions in the country and to provide a framework for setting targets relating to various energy efficiency interventions in the residential, commercial, mining, transport, agriculture and industrial sectors,” said Dr Muswere.
Dr Muswere said the Government shall develop an Energy Efficiency Act and appropriate regulations, as well as a National Energy Efficiency Strategy and Action Plan, which will assist in the achievement of low-carbon development modalities and climate-resilient energy efficient systems.
“Furthermore, mandatory energy efficiency audits conducted by approved and certified energy auditors shall be prescribed.
“Minimum energy performance standards and regulations will also be established and developed for selected energy end-users.
“The Government shall mandate intensive energy users and encourage other industrial users to be certified by a recognised energy management standard such as the Energy Management Systems (ZWS ISO50001), amongst others.”
derick.khumalo