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Thandeka Moyo-Ndlovu-Bulawayo Bureau
THE Rural Electrification Agency (REA) is training biogas digester builders to provide sustainable energy access to areas not connected to the national grid.
Biogas digesters produce low-pressure methane gas energy from decomposing cow dung and biodegradable waste materials, which can be used for domestic purposes such as cooking.
The raw gas is different from the Liquefied Petroleum (LP) gas that most consumers use for cooking.
The agency is also introducing off-grid mini-solar projects in rural communities to power all rural areas by 2030 and alleviate stress on the national grid.
In an interview, REA public relations and marketing executive, Mr Johannes Nyamayedenga, said using renewable energy will help the country achieve development goals in line with the National Development Strategy (NDS1).
NDS1, which runs from 2021 to 2025, emphasises reliable and affordable energy access and aligns with the Government’s investments in sectors, including mining, agriculture, tourism and manufacturing.
The two-pronged solar project is strategically aimed at enhancing energy access in rural areas, specifically targeting public institutions such as schools, rural health centres, Government offices and community infrastructure.
“What we are saying is that we have trained builders, biogas digesters builders in every district of the country and we’re still training more,” said Mr Nyamayedenga.
“We’ve trained quite a number of them and anyone who wants a biogas digester at his homestead or farm should contact us. We will give them contact numbers of people in their respective rural areas and they can negotiate prices on their own”.
He said the biogas digesters are not capital intensive as people in rural areas have access to free water and free pit sand.
“All they need are a few bags of cement and after that, they can power their lights and appliances without worrying much about electricity, which may take forever to reach them,” said Mr Nyamayedenga.
“We wish to empower villagers to be champions of their destiny and we believe this is possible as we have enough trained people to help install these biogas digesters.”
Online Reporter