Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve
ZIMBABWE is making significant strides in advancing solar technology adoption while championing energy efficiency initiatives, including the replacement of conventional lighting with LED systems in major hospitals.
This comes as the country is positioning itself as a regional leader in renewable energy adoption in line with its transformative Vision 2030 targets.
Deputy Minister of Energy and Power Development, Yeukai Simbanegavi, outlined the milestones during the 9th Southern African Solar Thermal Training and Demonstration Initiative (SOLTRAIN) Conference, which was held as part of the SADC Sustainable Energy Week in Victoria Falls yesterday.
The conference follows a successful similar event held in Harare in November 2021.
In 2025, SOLTRAIN hosted the 8th conference in Botswana, where Zimbabwe was passed the baton to host this year’s event.
“Since the last conference, the Government of Zimbabwe has made significant strides in advancing solar thermal technologies,” said Deputy Minister Simbanegavi.
“Zimbabwe signed the Solar Thermal Technology Platform and Implementation Plan, reaffirming our commitment to reducing climate change impacts and expanding access to clean, sustainable energy. This was a follow-up to the National Solar Water Heating programme launched in 2015, which aimed to save energy of about three hundred Mega Watts (300MW) of power, through the adoption and retrofitting of solar water heaters.”
Deputy Minister Simbanegavi said through domestic and industrial solar geysers, Zimbabwe expects a significant drop in demand from the national grid in homes, hotels and other business premises.
Last year, the Government launched the National Energy Efficiency Policy (NEEP), further strengthening the country’s commitment to energy access and the achievement of its Nationally Determined Contributions under the global climate framework.
Through collaboration with partners such as the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), UNDP, and the SADC Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (SACREEE), Zimbabwe has championed Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS).
“These MEPS are focusing on refrigeration, motors, and lighting and have been widely adopted by industry and the domestic sector. Zimbabwe is also actively participating in the Energy Efficient Lighting and Appliances (EELA),” she said.
Over the past 13 years, the Government has worked closely with the SOLTRAIN project, implemented locally by the National University of Science and Technology, one of the leading academic institutions in Zimbabwe.
Through this collaboration, Zimbabwe has supported the global Heat Worldwide survey and promoted local manufacturing and assembly of solar water heating systems by companies such as Monarch Steel, Capri, and Telco, among others.
The Government has also strengthened the regulatory framework through Statutory Instrument 235 of 2019 – Electricity (Solar Water Heating) Regulations.
Vice Chancellor of NUST, Professor Mqhele Dlodlo, highlighted the institution’s numerous contributions towards renewable energy and economic growth.
Since 2013, NUST has been a proud partner in the SOLTRAIN initiative.
Through its successive phases, culminating in the current SOLTRAIN programme, the university has worked tirelessly to advance solar thermal technologies and their transformative potential across the SADC region.
Prof Dlodlo revealed that NUST has capacitated over 800 ZESA technicians nationwide with expertise in electrification, solar installations and energy management.
“As a leader in STEM-oriented human capital development, NUST is enhancing skills for students and professionals while strengthening community engagement
“We have capacitated over 800 Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) technicians nationwide with expertise in electrification, solar installations and energy management,” said Prof Dlodlo.
