Solar scheme set to reduce pressure on national grid

Blessings Chidakwa

Herald Reporter

THE Presidential Solarisation programme in rural areas is set to significantly reduce the burden on the national grid.

This ground-breaking initiative recently approved by Cabinet seeks to harness solar energy to power rural farms, which currently consume 12 percent of the national grid, according to recent ZESA statistics.

As part of Government’s robust measures to eradicate load-shedding across the country, the Presidential Solar Scheme has already been rolled out in urban areas with a pilot project being implemented in Glen View, Harare.

Zimbabwe Solar Energy Company (Zisec), a subsidiary of Prevail International Group, has since set up an application that monitors how many trees and carbon have been saved starting at household level.

Under the Presidential Solar Scheme, solar panels will be rented and installed on the rooftops of rural households at no cost to the homeowners.

The solar energy harnessed through these panels will be seamlessly integrated into the national grid, marking a significant leap towards renewable energy adoption and decentralisation.

In his post-Cabinet briefing on Wednesday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere said the Presidential Solarisation Project, set to benefit remote locations that do not require considerable grid infrastructure, will build resilient communities and develop communities by using non-polluting green energy sources.

“Cabinet considered and approved the Presidential Solarisation Project by the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (Rida), as presented by the Minister of State for Presidential Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Lovemore Matuke,” he said.

“The project seeks to promote the rural industrialisation development agenda and the realisation of the Rural Development 8.0 Strategy by expanding solar-powered infrastructure. Related benefits of the Presidential Solarisation Projects include a piped water system; nutrition gardening; livestock watering; and household usage of power for domestic household purposes.”

Dr Muswere added: “Each rural household will be equipped with a solar system which will power electrical appliances while the solar system will use a submersible pump that will enhance agricultural productivity and food security.”

PGI chairman Dr Paul Tungwarara yesterday said while the roll out of the urban Presidential Solar Scheme has already kicked off, the programme will now be intensified in rural areas.

“The urban project is being done under ZISEC which is working together with Prevail International Group.

“We are generating solar from the rooftops and putting the electricity into the grid. We are eradicating load shedding in the specific areas where we are installing the solar system,” he said.

Dr Tungwarara said as a pilot project, they are targeting 400 houses with locals being trained to install the solar system as a way of employment creation.

He said landlords will also be given a token of appreciation for generation of electricity into the national grid.

Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority has over the past years licensed over 100 small Independent Power Producers (IPPs) with a capacity to produce around 1 300 MW. A handful of IPPs have begun power generation.