THE Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) has licensed 24 independent power producers (IPPs) that are presently feeding 95 megawatts into the national grid.
Zimbabwe is reportedly not optimally using its solar energy potential, with only 1 percent of latent capacity currently under use for commercial purposes.
IPPs produce electricity for their own consumption and feed excess power into the national grid. ZERA chief executive officer Mr Edington Mazambani said the licensed power producers will increase their output into the national grid to 103MW this year.
“Since last year, the organisation has licensed 24 independent power producers. These power producers, which are at different stages of implementation, will channel 103 megawatts into the national grid. The current power producers are also feeding 95,28 megawatts into the grid.”
The projects, he said, were using various sources of energy — which include solar, bagasse, coal, charcoal, gas, diesel and hydro.
Solar energy in Zimbabwe is far from being fully exploited at commercial level.
“The country has high solar irradiation averaging 20MJ (megajoules) per square metre and 3 000 hours of sunshine per year. Solar PV technology has a potential of over 300 megawatts, whilst only 1 percent of the technical potential for solar is being exploited,” he said.
“High prospects exist for small- and large-scale deployment of grid-connected systems and off-grid systems in remote locations; therefore, making uptake of modern energy a low-hanging fruit that will help ease power shortages going forward.”
ZERA is also terminating contracts of non-performing producers or those who take long to start their projects.
“To date, we have terminated licences of 12 IPPs,” he said.
Zonful Power Energy chief executive officer Engineer William Ponela said Government should also incentivise solar products to encourage their use. – Sunday Mail
