Zera urges use of renewable energy sources

THE Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera) has urged consumers to use electricity efficiently and adopt renewable energy sources.

The regulator has been rolling out nationwide campaigns on energy efficiency and last
Friday a stakeholder engagement was hosted at Iminyela Hall in Bulawayo where Zera
was joined by officials from the power utility, Zesa, and the Consumer Council of
Zimbabwe (CCZ) to engage residents.

Consumer Council of Zimbabwe
A senior Zera official who declined to be named said efficient use of electricity was
critical at a time when the country is battling power outages amid reduced generation
capacity from local plants.

“People should try to be efficient with electricity in order to help ease the power outages
countrywide. We are here to educate you on how to use electricity efficiently and we are
encouraging you to use the right lighting bulbs in your homes,” said the official.

“We are saying no to using incandescent lights or bulbs as they do not save electricity.
We encourage you to buy light-emitting diodes (LED) and compact fluorescent lamps
(CFL) as they are more energy-saving than incandescent lights.”

The Zera official also urged households to use solar to generate their own electricity at
homes as it is also a good alternative source of energy, which is environmentally
friendly.

Regional technical inspector, Mr Hugh Mlauzi, said the use of Liquid Petroleum Gas
(LPG) as an alternative to electricity was commendable.

Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority petroleum inspector Mr Hugh Mlauzi
“People should try to save electricity by using Liquid Petroleum Gas, which remains one
of the best alternative sources of energy being used in urban and rural areas. That is why
we are here to educate you on how to use gas at your homes,” he said.

Mr Mlauzi took the participants through the safe use of gas during which residents asked
questions.

CCZ Matabeleland regional manager, Mr Comfort Muchekeza, said consumers should
come forward when they have energy-related complaints.

CCZ Matabeleland regional manager, Mr Comfort Muchekeza
“As CCZ, we encourage people to visit us when they have challenges. We are teaching
people how to use gas as it has replaced the use of firewood, paraffin, and electricity
when cooking,” he said.-The Chronicle