The National Renewable Energy Project (NREP) and the Biofuels Policy (2020) has committed to a 33% reduction in green house carbon emissions by 2030 as well as a 20% ethanol blending rate by 2030. The policy’s goals are to accelerate economic development, facilitate rural development, promote SMEs, ensure environmentally friendly development and safeguard natural resources. On the other hand, Government has committed to repairs, refurbishments and expansion at Hwange’s coal powered electricity generators as well as promoting the building of new coal fired generators.

In Zimbabwe attention on the renewable energy sources is focused on three main areas: – solar, hydro and wind. Geothermal power is still quite under researched and under developed and the use of firewood as a fuel is contentious. Obviously, trees are not being replanted at the same rate that they’re being cut down, although, in theory, timber harvesting can be considered renewable, with proper management programmes in place. Trees take a long time to mature and proper planning needs to extend to many years in the future.

To start with let’s take a look at the different options for producing energy from renewable sources and examine the pros and cons.

Solar Power

There’s been significant investment and development in this area with some of the leaders in the field including DPA, Solar Energy Projects and the Swiss based energy provider, the meeco Group. Apart from large scale projects that are capable of feeding energy to the national grid, the solar power option has been taken up by businesses – retailers and manufacturers – as well on a much smaller scale for individual residential projects. Most homes in the cities have installed solar geysers and solar panels for lighting and for keeping their appliances running. Even in rural areas solar panels are becoming much more popular, especially for basic needs like lighting or even for radios or recharging cell phones.

PROS:

1. Zimbabwe is blessed with abundant sunlight for most of the year, and once the installation is set up energy is free.
2. Producing solar power is clean and doesn’t create greenhouse gases.
3. The energy created from solar panels can be stored in batteries for use when there’s no sunlight.
4. There’s been a lot of development in solar power in recent years and there a number of reliable suppliers and installers who can also give you the best advice on tailor-made setups. In addition, advances in technology will, hopefully, make solar more affordable.
5. Solar technology creates new jobs for the economy.

CONS:

1. Setting up a solar system can be very expensive to start with. There’s the cost of the panels plus the necessary inverters and batteries which can be quite prohibitive.
2. Batteries, inverters and panels don’t last forever and will need to be replaced periodically –another, usually unwelcome, expense.
3. The production of lithium-ion batteries is controversial with some studies suggesting that mining lithium and the other minerals needed is harmful to the environment.
4. Recycling or the disposal
   of batteries and panels can be problematic and could cause more environmental pollution to soil and water supplies.
5. Lack of direct sunlight for several days means solar power needs to be backed up with grid-supplied power. This tends to happen when there’s the most pressure on the national gridwho wants cold water when the weather is not favourable?

? QUESTIONS:

1. Will solar become more affordable in the near future?
2. Will battery technology improve?

Hydro Power

Zimbabwe and Zambia have been reliant on hydro power generated at Kariba for nearly 60 years. Smaller hydro power systems have been set up across the country, particularly by Nyangani Renewable Energy, mostly operating in the Eastern Highlands. There are plans to create a second hydro power plant at the Batoka Gorge along the Zambezi below Kariba.

PROS:

1. After the initial set up the production of energy is virtually free.
2. Hydro power produces no greenhouse emissions or pollution.
3. The power supply is, generally, quite reliable all year round and hydro power continues to be generated at night (unlike solar) when there’s no sunlight.
4. Hydro power dams can provide additional benefits like flood control, water for irrigation and drinking water for the surrounding communities.

CONS:

1. Large scale hydro power dams and turbines are extremely expensive to build and continual maintenance is required.
2. Establishing large dams often displaces local communities.
3. Large dams disrupt the ecology of fish, plants and animals along the river.
4. Extended periods of drought can make hydro power unworkable.

? QUESTIONS:

1. Will small scale projects contribute significantly to the national grid?
2. Will repairs and refurbishments at Kariba be too expensive for the national economy?
3. Will the Batoka Gorge development be economically viable?
   Who will provide the funding?
4. How will climate change affect the generation of hydro power?

Wind Power

The use of wind power has been established around the World for many years. Wind power stations are growing very fast, particularly with the North Sea power stations in Europe. Wind power has been largely ignored in Zimbabwe in recent years although in the past many rural areas used windmills to draw water up from underground sources for irrigation and to provide water for livestock.

PROS:

1. Wind power is free.
2. Wind power is completely renewable.
3. Wind power produces no pollution or environmentally damaging by-products.
4. On a small scale wind power is relatively inexpensive to install.
5. Windmills and wind power generators don’t need much maintenance.

CONS:

1. Most areas in Zimbabwe don’t receive a lot of wind.
2. Wind power is not reliable.
3. Power generated by wind needs to be stored in batteries for future use.
4. It can be noisy and also disrupt birds and wildlife.
5. Wind power farms take up a lot of space.

? QUESTIONS:

1. Why have established wind powered water pumps not been maintained? Surely it’s cheaper to maintain existing structures than to build new ones?
2. Could this bring significant improvements to rural lifestyles where water supply is an ongoing problem?
3. How can Zimbabwe move forward by harnessing this free power generating option?
4. What are the costs involved in establishing wind farms?
5. Which areas of Zimbabwe are best suited for building wind farms?
6. Why has this avenue of power generation not been explored more?

Text By Michael Nott

From Energy & Power Insider 1