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Sifelani Tsiko recently in Gwanda
Zimbabwe must step up the roll out of solar power mini grids countrywide to reduce its energy import bill and save foreign currency, Minister of State in Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s office Evelyne Ndlovu has said.

She said this during a tour of the 99kw Mashaba Solar Mini Grid, three irrigation schemes, a school and a clinic which are benefiting from the grid in Gwanda South Constituency.

“This model, which was developed by Practical Action and its partners, is a good model which we must replicate across the country,” she said.

“The Government and the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) must adopt this model to harness our abundant and God-given sunshine to generate electricity for our people.

“We must reduce our energy imports and save foreign currency which we can use for other essential imports like medicines and machinery.”

Minister Ndlovu said the country should to harness solar energy which is cheaper and sustainable.

“Zimbabwe is having serious power shortages because of low water levels at Lake Kariba and solar can help us expand access to energy among communities which are not connected to the national grid,” she said.

“Solar energy is a key enabler which can also help us boost irrigation production and enhance food security.”

The expansion of power supply to rural communities remains a top priority for Government as it seeks to achieve its vision to make Zimbabwe a middle income economy by 2030.

The 99kw Mashaba Solar Mini Grid is now benefiting more than 10 000 people.

It is Zimbabwe’s first solar-powered mini grid which has enabled locals to access cheaper and reliable energy.

The project was funded by the European Union (EU-ACP), with co-financing from OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) and the UNDP-Global Environmental Facility (GEF).

It was implemented by a consortium of NGOs, with Practical Action as the lead partner, supported by SNV, Hivos and the Dabane Trust.

The solar mini grid is providing power to a radius of 25km, helping to boost economic activities in three irrigation schemes — Mankonkoni, Sebasa and Rustlers’ Gorge business centres — Mashaba and Msendami as well 2 social services — Mashaba Clinic and Mashaba Primary School.

Speaking at the same event, Practical Action regional director Kudzai Marovanidze said the model should be replicated across the country.

“We are pleased and appreciate Government’s continued support and interest in our work. Energy is a critical enabler for decentralised development and renewable energy in form of solar mini grids provide a viable and futuristic option to transform rural communities that are not reached by the national grid,” said Marovanidze.

“Scaling up solar energy investments and possible replication of this kind of solar has the potential to support rural communities so that they lift themselves out of poverty, drive their own local economic development and build their resilience against hush conditions such as climate  change.”

This small and decentralised solar power system operates independently of the main grid managed by the country’s power utility — Zesa.

The installation of the solar system is helping the local community to make significant savings on energy costs, while at the same time promoting a cleaner environment.

Minister of State for Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs Abednico Ncube and other Government officials also attended the event which sought to study the Mashaba Solar Mini Grid system and its potential to be reproduced in other parts of the country.