Urgent need to upgrade energy infrastructure
GOVERNMENT has reiterated the need to revamp the electricity distribution infrastructure in line with the expanding power generation capacity in the country to enhance service efficiencies while curbing potential losses.
This comes at a time when Zimbabwe is also seized with diversifying its energy mix following the adoption of the Renewable Energy and Biofuels Policies that guide the implementation of cleaner energy technologies.
The country is shifting from conventional to sustainable power sources in keeping with global climate change mitigation strategies that are anchored on reduced harmful emissions.
Speaking during the handover and commissioning ceremony of the Deka Upgradation project in Hwange District on Monday, Energy and Energy Development Minister, Edgar Moyo, said the installation of several solar and mini-hydro power generation plants across the country was progressing well.
“The need to shift from the traditional forms of energy to modern forms cannot be overlooked. Fossil-based energy sources are damaging to the environment and are not renewable and thus unsustainable,” he said.
“Government developed the Renewable Energy Policy and Biofuels Policy that guide the implementation of cleaner energy technologies in the country. The global trend is also moving away from the convectional centralised large power station plants to distributed systems that are powered by sustainable renewable energy sources.
“Zimbabwe is not lagging behind in this shift and in this regard, I’m proud to announce that to date Zimbabwe has seen the installation of several solar PV and mini-hydro power generation systems.”
Minister Moyo said the establishment of renewable energy plants, which are at various stages of completion are set to feed into the grid with codes to regulate deployment of these technologies having already been gazetted to facilitate their rapid uptake.
In order to ensure the expansion of power generation capacity, he stressed the need to revamp the distribution networks.
“Government appreciates that while the country is expanding its power generation capacity there is need to bring the power transmission infrastructure up to scratch,” said Minister Moyo.
“Without an efficient transmission and distribution system, the efforts made on increasing generation capacity will count to nothing.
“The country’s transmission grid currently needs to be revamped in order to improve on inefficiencies and stability. There is also need to extend grind to new areas.”
Zimbabwe is already working on updating the Electricity Network Master Plan with the support of the World Bank.
Minister Moyo said the Smart Metering Project, in addition to improving revenue collection was part of efforts to convert the grid into a smart one ensuring system stability and detection of non-technical losses among other benefits.
In Hwange District several private players have heeded the call for development of energy infrastructure with thermal power plant, Zimbabwe Zhongxin Electrical Energy (ZZEE) and solar plant, Solgas feeding power each into the national grid. The companies’ expansion plans are at advanced stages of implementation with Makomo
Resources joining the solar energy producers while Zambezi Coal and Gas have indicated plans to construct a thermal power station.
President Mnangagwa officiated at the ground breaking ceremony of the Deka Upgrade project funded through an India Exim Bank loan facility of US$48 million on October 1, 2021 before construction of the 42km pipeline begun in March 2022.
The scope of work included the construction of a 42km long pipeline, installing a new SCADA system, a new battery system and transformer to improve reliability.
The country’s largest coal fired power plant, Hwange Power Station requires large amounts of water for its cooling system with the Units 7 and 8 expansion project requiring more water leading to the construction of the Deka pipeline, which draws its water from the Zambezi River.
The project also provided three water points for the local community for domestic use with Chief Whange appealing for more points to reach water-insecure communities in his area.-chroncile
