adminTHE Government, though the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has electrified 8 187 rural institutions countrywide since 2002 thereby improving access to sustainable energy by rural people, an official has said.
Addressing communities during the official commissioning of an electrification project for schools in Munyikwa area in Gutu last week Energy and Power Development Minister Dr Samuel Undenge said Government established Rural Electrification Fund (REF) to facilitate electrification of rural areas in the country as a way of promoting development.
He said Government had always recognised the importance of energy and electricity in particular as a vehicle for economic and social development.
In Masvingo province, REA has electrified 1 083 institutions of which 221 are in Gutu district.
These include; 59 primary schools out of 153, 40 secondary schools out of 68, 24 rural health centres out of 32, four chiefs’ homesteads out of five, four Government extension officers’ houses, 42 business centres, 30 villages and 18 irrigation schemes and farms. The commissioned project benefited one secondary school, one primary school and a church.
“To date, the fund has electrified 187 rural institutions countrywide, using both grid and solar technologies. In 2002 Government established the Rural Electrification Fund (REF) through an Act of Parliament, with the specific mandate to facilitate rapid and equitable electrification of rural areas in Zimbabwe, thereby promoting rural development and uplifting of the lifestyles of the rural people,” said Dr Undenge.
He said in October 2012, his ministry launched the National Energy Policy (NEP) which sought to ensure that all people in Zimbabwe had access to adequate, reliable, least costly and environmentally friendly sustainable energy services.
He said it was refreshing that the policy has made significant impact in improving access to sustainable and clean energy by rural communities.
“It is encouraging to note that the policy has made significant strides in the electrification of rural areas of Zimbabwe. Provision of electricity will no doubt lead to the empowerment of our rural populace, poverty alleviation through capacity building and employment creation. This is in line with Zim Asset which was crafted to achieve sustainable development and social equity in the country. Many other benefits will accrue, among them the reversal of rural-urban migration and the facilitation of economic activities in downstream industries.”
He also underscored the need to decentralise energy systems based on renewable energy sources, especially for rural areas and hailed the solar and biogas programmes.
Bongani Ndlovu