THE United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has committed to narrow the energy gap in Zimbabwe as the southern African nation continues to face a power deficit and limited investment in the sector.
BERNARD MPOFU
In its annual report for 2023, the UN agency said it had installed renewable energy projects generating up to 10 megawatts at some health facilities across the country.
“Despite significant strides, Zimbabwe faces an energy gap, with only 62% of the population having access to either on or off-grid electricity. We recognise the transformative power of access to clean energy. It’s not just about powering homes and businesses; it’s about unlocking a pathway towards achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals,” reads the annual report.
“Our work focuses on two key areas: first, closing the energy gap by providing under-served communities with access to renewable energy solutions like solar and biogas systems. Second, we aim to catalyse private sector investment in the renewable energy sector, fostering long-term sustainability and wider impact.”
According to the World Bank Zimbabwe’s energy sector has begun lagging behind other lower middle income countries in sub-Saharan Africa as the nation requires US$4.4 billon to upgrade its power infrastructure. Achieving universal electricity access by 2030, the World Bank says, will require large investments, against the backdrop of growing peak electricity demand.
Experts say despite some recent developments, Zimbabwe’s electricity sector still faces power supply deficits and the slowing of progress toward universal electricity access. The country still suffers from significant power deficits.
Medium-term World Bank projections suggest that electricity demand will grow from 1 950MW in 2022 up to 5 177MW by 2030.
This is driven primarily by growing demand from the mining and agriculture sectors, and results in a considerable widening of the power deficits.
To reach universal access by 2030 will require annual connections to increase from 25 000 in 2020 to about 537 000 per year.
“In 2023, we installed additional solar systems at 19 more health facilities and two pharmaceutical warehouses. In addition, we ensured the maintenance and upgrading of solar installations, which are generating a combined 10.14 MW, installed at over 1,040+ health facilities for smooth operation of vital medical operations and equipment,” UNDP says.
“In support of the Government’s initiatives to establish and revitalise irrigation schemes, we are implementing climatesmart irrigation pivots powered by solar energy in various agricultural projects, such as the 66.6kW solar system powering the revitalised Masholomoshe irrigation scheme.”
In 2023, UNDP, the report states, started the single largest biogas initiative in Zimbabwe and Southern Africa, installing biogas-making digesters at 150 homesteads.
