Online Reporter
Nyore Madzianike-Herald Reporter
A PRESIDENTIAL Rural Solar Scheme targeting the installation of over 1,2 million 1KW solar systems is set to be launched, with the Rural Infrastructure Development Authority having already commenced procurement processes.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Energy and Power Development, Dr Gloria Magombo, revealed this while presenting oral evidence on the implementation of national renewable energy initiatives before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Peace and Security in Mt Hampden yesterday.
Dr Magombo said the Ministry aims to increase access to clean energy by 38 percent, particularly in rural communities.
“We will be seeking your support as we launch the strategy, which is meant to ensure that we reduce the use of firewood currently, especially in rural communities. We were looking at access to clean energy at 38 percent and we want to move that, especially for cooking, to clean cooking instead of using basic firewood,” she said.
“When it comes to progress, we have done a number of systems through the private sector and through our rural electrification fund. One of the big systems which will be coming in and will soon be launched is the Presidential Rural Solar Scheme, which is meant to install over 1.2 million 1 kilowatt solar systems. These are already under procurement and are being installed in some of our rural communities using RIDA, the Rural Infrastructure Development Authority under the Office of the President and Cabinet”.
Dr Magombo said the ministry has engaged the Zimbabwe Manpower Development Fund (ZIMDEF) to develop a curriculum for colleges to train solar technicians.
She also said Government is promoting the establishment of local assembly plants for renewable energy technologies.
“We have also spoken to ZIMDEF on developing a curriculum for our colleges which allows them to train solar technicians. One of the areas we have put in financial incentives, mainly tax incentives, where duties have been removed to ensure that we are able to bring in the technologies,” Dr Magombo said.
“But if you look at our renewable energy policy, we also want to encourage the establishment of factories which can start by assembling these renewable energy technologies and maybe also actually producing them locally”.
Dr Magombo also told the committee that her Ministry has developed a policy framework to encourage the use of electric mobility, which will soon be presented to Cabinet.
