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THE high-profile World Solar Summit in Harare in September 1996 triggered great expectations as policy-makers spoke of having found a competent alternative and complement for both hydro and thermal power.
But in subsequent years, the high cost of solar equipment made it seem less urgent to invest in the technology, more so when it appeared Zesa was on top of its game.
Between 1994 and 1996, Zimbabwe spearheaded the World Solar Summit Process, with President Mugabe Chairing the World Solar Commission.
Over 100 countries attended the summit and came up with the Harare Declaration, which recognised the role under-utilised energy resources such as the sun, wind and water could play as affordable and sustainable options.
The Harare summit signalled the start of the 1996-2005 World Solar Programme, which sought to promote some 300 “highest priority” renewable energy projects for implementation through that decade.
It is argued that there is scope for viable solar energy generation in Zimbabwe given that the country enjoys 300 days of sunlight a year.
A study by the UAE-based International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena) on high potential and high renewable energy zones for solar photovoltaic (PV) and concentrated solar power (CSP) power plants in Zimbabwe spoke of potential for large solar farms in Midlands, Mashonaland East, Harare and Mutare.
This will augment the Zimbabwe Power Company’s 973MW output as at June 3, 2015 (Munyati 27MW, Bulawayo 22MW, Harare 30MW, Kariba 694MW and Hwange 200MW).
This output is against demand of 1 800MW.
The Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company, another Zesa subsidiary, has resorted to rolling power blackouts to manage demand.
Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority boss Engineer Gloria Magombo told The Sunday Mail Business that solar energy could reduce energy shortages.
However, the country experiences peak demand between 5am and 9am and between 5pm and 9pm and “during these periods, solar energy will not be able to meet the morning and evening peak demand, hence the country may still experience load shedding in the morning and evening when there is no sun, thus relying on limited base load power generation from coal-fired or hydro power stations”, the Zera CEO said.
She added: “Solar power generation is naturally intermittent hence the need for a robust grid system that is responsive to sudden power loses.”
Zera has issued licenses to GeoBase Klean Energy Africa (250MW) and Plum Solar (5MW) to supply alternative energy but both projects are at the pre-feasibility stage.
Two more projects with combined potential of 100MW have been approved and Zera is reviewing two others that can contribute 15MW.
Further, the Rural Electrification Agency has installed 415 micro-solar projects largely targeting schools, health facilities and Government offices outside urban areas.
Eng Magombo said because of their size, the micro projects were not licensed “though they are playing a critical role in keeping key institutions with power”.
Globally, solar power generation rose from 142 gigawatts in 2013 to 177GW last year.
China and Taiwan account for 16,37 percent of this, Japan has 13,16 percent, Germany is at 21,58 percent, Italy on 10,43 percent, the United States at 10,33 percent and South Africa contributes 0,52 percent.
South Africa is expected to reach installed capacity 8 400MW by 2030, along with 8 400MW of wind power.
Algeria wants to install 13,5GW of solar photovoltaic capacity by 2030.
Germany is the world’s largest producer of solar power, generating 38,2GW.
The pace in Zimbabwe is slow, though, with Eng Magombo attributing this to a lack of funds and unattractive tariffs.
“Investment in power generation is also stimulated by attractive tariffs to the investors. The feed-in tariffs in Algeria are around 20 cents per kilowatt hour and the prevailing end-user tariff is also high due to the fact that their generation mix is mainly natural gas.
“Algeria’s solar energy comes at a cheaper price than their conventional energy sources which are fossil fuel-based.
‘‘Zimbabwe’s generation mix is mainly hydro and thermal coal fired, which results in a lower blended end-user tariff than that of Algeria.
“Solar energy is one of the most expensive renewable energy sources, whilst hydro on the other hand is cheaper,” said Eng Magombo.
REA chief executive officer Eng Joshua Mashamba added: “While solar energy is abundant in Zimbabwe and other developing countries in the world, the high cost of the technology in the past has been the largest deterrent for developing countries from exploiting solar energy on a large scale.
“It should be noted, however, that the last few years have witnessed a significant decline in the cost of solar equipment on the international market, with current system costs having dropped down more than 50 percent from 2010 levels, making solar energy more competitive than before.
“The decline in prices of solar equipment and other benefits and advantages associated with solar energy, namely low maintenance cost of solar systems, abundant free sunshine in Zimbabwe, and its friendliness to the environment, make it imperative for the country to seriously consider the use of solar energy on a large scale as an alternative option or to augment conventional technologies,” said Eng Mashamba.
REA has installed 415 mini-grid systems in remote areas with capacity of 0,84 kW each. These systems provide energy for lighting, refrigeration, radio/television and computers.
Eng Mashamba said their 2013–2018 development plan in line with Zim-Asset, REA would develop eight solar power plants with capacities ranging from 2MW to 5MW at cost of up to US$65 million.
The Rural Electrification Fund Act (Chapter 13:20) mandates the Rural Electrification Fund to pay special attention to off grid technologies including solar, wind and mini-hydro.
To support Government policy on renewable energy technologies, Zera in 2013 established the Renewable Energy Feed in Tariffs.
Zera also supports development of the National Energy Integrated Resource Plan, which is expected to give an optimum energy mix.
Online Reporter