Source: The Herald – Breaking news.
Responding to questions at the post Cabinet media briefing in Harare on Tuesday, Energy and Power Development Minister July Moyo, outlined the multifaceted approach that the Compact, which was approved by Cabinet this week, will take to address the energy needs of Zimbabwe, the SADC region and beyond. 
Mukudzei Chingwere-Herald Reporter
THE newly approved comprehensive Energy Compact aimed at enhancing both internal generation and regional interconnections is a giant stride towards strengthening Zimbabwe’s energy landscape, a Cabinet Minister has said.
Responding to questions at the post Cabinet media briefing in Harare on Tuesday, Energy and Power Development Minister July Moyo, outlined the multifaceted approach that the Compact, which was approved by Cabinet this week, will take to address the energy needs of Zimbabwe, the SADC region and beyond.
The Energy Compact is expected to increase the country’s energy supply, particularly through the expansion of renewable sources.
Minister Moyo emphasised the importance of tapping into Zimbabwe’s diverse energy resources, including thermal and renewable energy.
“The first part of the compact deals with internal generation in Zimbabwe and we have looked at all our generation capacities in terms of all the resource-based capacities of thermal and renewable energy,” he said.
“We obviously have stepped up our renewable energy market. Most households now have solar panels, firstly for their own use… when you are not using your solar energy you can send it to the grid and you will be given credits.
“Then there are these captive power producers. Some of them are having enough for themselves and they are selling to the grid. Some of them have invested very big”.
Minister Moyo said renewable energy is becoming very important worldwide and Zimbabwe has started harnessing wind energy.
“Right now we have three sites where we want to attract investors because we believe the wind is strong enough for them to produce enough energy from wind which is renewable.
“But ultimately our number one renewable energy source is water, hydro. Yes, climate change has impacted on us, but we still think that on the Zambezi River there are sites where we can do what is called run of the river.
“Rather than building a big reservoir you just build enough to create pressure and even when there is less rain we will be able to generate. So, Batoka is one of them,” said Minister Moyo.
A key element of the compact explained by the Minister is the enhancement of interconnectors with neighbouring countries.
Currently, Zimbabwe is linked to South Africa and Mozambique via 400 kVA lines, with additional connections to Zambia.
Minister Moyo highlighted ongoing projects that will facilitate new interconnections, notably between Zambia and Tanzania, which will significantly widen access to electricity across the region.
“For the regional aspect we need to have interconnectors. We are already, as Zimbabwe, interconnected to South Africa through a 400 kVA. We are connected with Mozambique with another 400 KVA,” he said.
Minister Moyo said Zimbabwe was also connected with another 400 kVA to Zambia and that connection also was strengthened with the help of Zambia through its inter-connection to the DRC.
Zimbabwe can access electricity from DRC through that connection.
“What we were lacking, we are connected to Botswana because they are connected to South Africa. What we were lacking are the interconnectors between Zambia and Tanzania, which we hope will be completed in the next few years,” Minister Moyo said.
Once that happens, he said, Zimbabwe will have access not just to the SADC region, which are the 12 countries which are connected right now, but into East Africa because Tanzania is already connected to Kenya, Uganda, Burundi and Rwanda, as well as the interconnection between Kenya and Ethiopia.
“Ultimately, you can end up saying we will be connected to the eastern seaboard, southern Africa, East Africa and North Africa, the part that goes to Egypt. So those interconnectors are very important.
“So, that completes the whole picture of how Zimbabwe will play its role in the marketing of electricity among SADC countries,” said Minister Moyo.
He said Government initiatives, such as the Presidential Household Scheme targeting 1.2 million people, aim to increase solar installations in rural areas.
Looking ahead, Minister Moyo revealed plans for various renewable projects, including wind energy sites and innovative hydro solutions on the Zambezi River.
The Minister also spoke about the potential for floating solar systems on Lake Kariba, which could add up to 600 megawatts of power.
Beyond interconnections and generation, Minister Moyo detailed efforts to extend the electricity grid to rural and underserved urban areas.
With over 5 000 schools already connected and plans to electrify clinics, the Government is committed to improving access to electricity for communities nationwide.
“We have the Presidential Household Scheme, which is targeting 1.2 million people, and it’s starting this year,” said Minister Moyo.
“We have given it a two-year period so that we can have household solar systems, particularly in the rural areas.”
Minister Moyo said schools and clinics are also targeted for total electrification both in urban and rural areas.
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