Sundaymail Editor
Martin Kadzere
THE success rate of entities and institutions installing solar plants for their own use has been remarkably high, at almost 100 percent, the Zimbabwe Energy and Regulatory Authority (Zera) has said.
This stands in stark contrast to independent power producers (IPPs) aiming to generate power to supply the grid, many of whom encounter difficulties in securing financial closure, Zera chief executive officer Mr Edington Mazambani said in an interview on Tuesday.
“The 100 percent success rate is attributable to the fact that these companies made a strategic business decision to invest in self-use power plants to ensure reliable supply,” said Mr Mazambani.
Limited generation capacity often falls short of the country’s growing energy demand.
Furthermore, the national power utility, Zesa Holdings, has grappled with financial constraints, a substantial debt burden and difficulties in securing foreign currency for essential maintenance and upgrades, hindering its ability to ensure a consistent power supply.
Across Zimbabwe, businesses and households have experienced frequent and prolonged power outages, a phenomenon commonly referred to as load shedding.
This is attributable to a number of factors, primarily the aging and poorly maintained power generation infrastructure, especially the Hwange Thermal Power Station.
The Kariba hydroelectric plant, with a capacity of 1 050 MW, has had its output particularly affected by hydrological factors and the growing impact of climate change, resulting in diminished water levels in the Kariba Dam.
Faced with such power challenges, several corporations have turned to investing in solar energy to secure a reliable supply.
Online Reporter