L'aumento dei prezzi dell'energia e la continua povertà energetica esercitano una forte pressione sul Zimbabwe, che richiede soluzioni urgenti e sostenibili
In Zimbabwe, despite recent price increases, a persistent power supply shortage persists, leading to frequent load shedding. This situation is due to various factors, including the underperformance of coal power stations and the failure of hydroelectric power stations, such as Kariba South, to reach their full potential due to successive droughts.
To address this issue, the government has turned to renewable energy sources. In 2019, a waiver on solar equipment importation tax was introduced. According to the National Renewable Energy Policy (NREP), Zimbabwe could maximize its solar energy potential by expanding solar panel penetration and channelling it to the grid. However, independent power producers (IPPs) in the renewable energy sector are currently struggling to secure needed funding for operation.
To alleviate this issue, there are plans to strengthen these IPPs. The Swedish Government, through UN-Habitat under the Harare Sustainable City Initiative, has committed to financing and supporting independent renewable energy providers in Zimbabwe to expand the country's power supply. This initiative, implemented by the organisation Practical Action, aims to boost Zimbabwe's renewable energy sector.
Zimbabwe also has potential in other renewable energy sources. The country has a hydropower potential of 150MW and a geothermal power potential of 50MW. Additionally, Zimbabwe has a largely untapped solar potential of 16-20 megajoules-per square meter-per day (MJ/m2/day).
Despite these promising resources, the cost of implementing these solutions remains a concern. Zesa Holdings' executive chairperson, Sydney Gata, has warned of more power cuts due to non-cost reflective tariffs. In response, the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) increased electricity charges by 100% on May 15, following a 12.3% price jump approved by the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) on New Year's Day.
However, Gata argues that consumers are paying less than the amount it spends to produce or import electricity. To make renewable energy solutions more affordable for ordinary citizens, there is a need to subsidize good quality solar products. Furthermore, there is a need to review prices of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) downwards to make it attractive for people to opt for cleaner alternatives like LPG for cooking and heating.
Despite the challenges, there is hope for a brighter, more energy-secure future for Zimbabwe. With the right investments and policies, the country could harness its renewable energy potential and provide a reliable power supply for all its citizens.
