The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority has approved the development of 39 solar power projects, with a total generation capacity of 1 151.87 MW.
This is in line with the country’s National Renewable Energy Policy, which aims to improve ‘the share of renewable energy in the overall energy mix’. Addressing issues of climate change, the policy also ‘focuses on driving cost-effective implementation of sustainable energy sources, social upliftment through community involvement, gender equality and employment generation’.
Six of the projects are operational, two are under construction and the remaining 31 are yet to be developed, as reported by Green Building Africa.
Zimbabwe’s electrification rate stands at just more than 40%, with installed capacity of 2 300 MW.
To promote solar energy, the government has mandated that new construction and retrofits include solar systems, according to reports by Reuters. It has set a target of at least 1 575 MW from solar by 2030.
