adminNyemudzai Kakore Herald Correspondent
The decision to reduce industrial use of power was not imposed on business, Secretary for Energy and Power Development Mr Partson Mbiriri has said. He said there was consensus in coming up with the decision.
Mr Mbiriri’s comments come in the wake of an uproar from some sections of industry following the announcement that industrial power would be reduced by 25 percent if the country were to manage the electricity crisis.
Officially commissioning the electrification project in Chikomba District at Mahusvu Secondary School where four primary schools, one secondary school and one rural health centre would benefit, Mr Mbiriri said despite electricity shortage the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) was still mandated to carry out rural electrification programmes.
“The voltage demanded by mines and industries is high as compared to rural areas consumption so we agreed that they reduce electricity consumption by 25 percent. It was in consensus with the industry and mines,” he said.
“It is not an arbitrary central switching off. Industry itself decides on sections to switch off and this is why they have not been an outcry from mining giants and major electricity consumers. We followed all the rules.”
Mr Mbiriri said there was need to develop decentralised energy systems based on renewable energy sources especially in the rural areas.
He said Government and other SADC countries, were exploring all avenues to alleviate the severe power shortage in the region.
“I am informed that to date, the Rural Electrification Fund (REF) has electrified 8 282 rural institutions countrywide using both grid and solar technologies. Despite the commendable progress, REF has not been spared from the economic and other challenges faced,” said Mr Mbiriri.
“Another challenge is the inadequate funding for the programmes.
“The six percent electrification levy that REA gets through electricity sales and fiscal allocation by Government are not adequate to accelerate the programme or to sustain the momentum already gained by the programme.”
At least 3 500 projects are still to be carried out. REA also installed 424 solar systems and 33 institutional biogas digesters countrywide.
REF board chairman Mr Willard Chiwewe said from the $33,7 million allocated in the 2015 budget they have completed 13 solar micro-grids against the targeted 41 and 15 biogas out of 32.
He said REF’s intention was to electrify all public institutions within 15-20km from the existing grid network using electricity by 2018.
“During the seven months from January to July this year, the Fund has completed 291 grid projects and 15 biogas digesters countrywide,” he said.
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