Zera backs solar energy

In a statement, the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority said solar power could help mitigate current power challenges facing the country.
“Zimbabwe has one of the world’s best climates for solar power generation but the use of this technology is still very low with an energy gap analysis study carried out revealing that the national average penetration of solar home systems in Zimbabwe is 18 percent.

“This is a figure that could be increased given the amount of insolation the country receives,” said Zera.
The power production levels of about 1 400MW that Zesa was reportedly producing last year falls far short of the national peak demand of around 2 200MW and therefore the need to invest in solar photovoltaic power generation (solar PV) is critical to boost power supplies.

In this regard, Zera said photovoltaic water pumping systems could also be used to alleviate water shortages faced by farmers mainly due to power shortages that in turn affect yields.

“Photovoltaic water pumping systems offer numerous advantages over water supply systems utilising conventional power and as such solar PV water pumping systems present a cheaper and reliable alternative supply of water among farmers, households, institutions and factories given the electricity supply challenges, high fuel costs and maintenance costs of generators,” added Zera.

Zera also said in areas where PVPs have gone into competition with diesel-powered pumps, their comparatively high initial cost is offset by the achieved savings on fuel, maintenance and running costs while use of solar energy also eliminates emissions and fuel spills.

Earlier this year, speaking on the sidelines of the second stakeholders’ workshop for the cost supply study for the electricity supply industry, Zera chief executive Eng Gloria Magombo said financial constraints stood in the way of adequate power supplies.

“A current analysis for this year’s projections shows that a revenue of about US$1,2 billion is required to maintain current capacity and levels of production while a total of about US$4,8 billion was needed across the supply chain for generation, transmission and distribution of electricity, with US$2,5 billion to account for generation alone,” she said.