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The Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) recently signed a power purchase agreement with Skypower, a United Arab Emirates-based energy company.
The project, known as the Green Giant, is set to deliver 500 megawatts (MW) of solar power, capable of energising approximately 2 million Zimbabwean households.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by senior Government officials including the Minister of Energy and Power Development Edgar Moyo, Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to the UAE Lovemore Mazemo, acting ZETDC managing director Abel Gurupira, and Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority chairman Edington Tapera Mazambani.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Moyo said the solar energy project was a step forward in the government’s efforts to combat climate change by reducing carbon emissions into the atmosphere. He said (<a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200025786/zesa-clinches-300mw-solar-energy-deal">via NewsDay</a>):
<blockquote>
The solar power plants will directly feed into our national grid. This collaboration is a beacon of our dedication to enhancing energy security, achieving self-sufficiency and transitioning towards a green economy.
The genesis of this transformative partnership began at COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh, where we signed a memorandum of understanding with Skypower for the development of 500MW of solar power.
Today, we are not just advancing this agreement but also cementing our shared commitment to a sustainable and prosperous future.
</blockquote>
Gurupira said that the projects that will be undertaken under the deal will help alleviate the power shortages currently bedevilling the country. He said:
<blockquote>
The market is, therefore, ready to take up this power. On financial readiness and cost-reflective tariff, ZETDC has established a cost-reflective tariff, ensuring that we have the capacity to pay for the power generated. This financial readiness is key to the sustainable success of the project.
</blockquote>
The project involves the construction of three major solar power plants, a 100MW solar plant in Manhizhe, Midlands Province, a 70MW in Mazowe District, Mashonaland Central Province and 130MW in Matobo District, Matabeleland South Province.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

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ZETDC Clinches 500MW Solar Energy Deal With UAE-based Company

The Solar for Health initiative, implemented by the Health and Child Care Ministry in partnership with the UNDP, has improved healthcare delivery in Zimbabwe, according to health caregivers.
David Masara, the nurse-in-charge at Budiriro Polyclinic, said the power cuts which had a devastating impact on Zimbabwe’s healthcare sector are now a thing of the past following the implementation of the Solar for Health initiative. Masara told <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200013712/perennial-power-cuts-choke-health-delivery-system">NewsDay</a> that the Solar for Health initiative provides backup power to over 1,000 health facilities in Zimbabwe, enabling efficient operations and reducing maternal mortality. Masara is quoted as saying:
<blockquote>
The issue of lack of power is no longer an issue at all. Pregnant women can deliver their babies in stable conditions after the installation of the solar system.
</blockquote>
In rural areas, solar systems have become the only source of power. 
The Health and Child Care Ministry, in partnership with the UNDP and largely funded by the Global Fund, is implementing the Solar for Health program in Zimbabwe. Thousands of Zimbabweans now receive reliable health services due to the initiative. Emmanuel Boadi, the Global Fund project manager, pledged continued assistance to ensure uninterrupted power supply and to mobilize resources for solar power connectivity in health facilities. Boadi also expressed the desire to assist the Ministry of Health and Child Care in developing a sustainability plan for the initiative.
Onward Tendaupenyu, a local medical officer, said the Solar for Health intervention has enabled more cases to be attended to at Chivi district hospital, reducing referrals. Caesarean sections can now be performed, improving maternal health. The intervention has addressed maternal health challenges and reduced nighttime emergencies. He said:
<blockquote>
We are now saving on 100 litres of fuel and over $100 for staff allowances per week. We are also doing evacuation of retained products after miscarriage, and appendicitis operations among other things requiring uninterrupted power service.
</blockquote>
Andrew Muza, the Acting Matabeleland South Provincial Medical Director, said the Solar for Health intervention significantly aided health service delivery. Currently, 117 health facilities have solar backup through the UNDP and its partners, resulting in improved patient care quality. He said:
<blockquote>
We now have 24/7 service provision and other systems depending on power like the expanded programme on immunisation  and the electronic health record  system have also been connected making it easier to do our duties.
</blockquote>
Edwin Sibanda, the health department director at Bulawayo City Council, said the Solar for Health program has reduced the burden on power supply, crucial for most health services. Power cuts have worsened, endangering patients and making healthcare delivery difficult.
The Solar for Health initiative has extended healthcare facility hours and improved the recruitment and retention of healthcare workers in remote settings, ensuring effective healthcare. At Mhandamabwe rural health centre, the installed solar system provided an uninterrupted power supply, reducing challenges, according to nurse-in-charge Petunia Tshuma. She said:
<blockquote>
Prior to the intervention, we relied on solar lamps and torches in the event that we ran out of the normal back-up. Our challenges have lessened as we are no longer having problems in storing our medicines and we no longer meet obstacles in doing our duties during the night.
</blockquote>
Itai Rusike, the Executive Director of the Community Working Group on Health, suggested solar energy is efficient for rural health centres. It can assist with cold chain management, reduce maternal mortality, and motivate health workers by powering electrical gadgets. The government should partner with development partners, NGOs, and the private sector to invest in solar energy in clinics.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

Ministry Of Health, UNDP Solar Project Improves Healthcare Delivery

Hospitals and clinics across the country have reinforced their security following a spate of vandalism of solar panel installations by thieves.
The thieves are targeting mainly solar panels, inverters, gel and lithium batteries that were installed at health centres in both urban and rural areas.
<a href="https://healthtimes.co.zw/2023/06/18/zim-health-facilities-beef-up-security-as-thieves-ransack-solar-systems/">Health Times</a> reported that the solar panel systems were installed across 1 045 health facilities in Zimbabwe through a Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) Solar for Health project and is supported by the UNDP-Global Fund initiative.
The solar systems are 5kW, 7kW, 10kW or 40kW, depending on the size of the facility and energy requirements to power specific functions.
Bulawayo City Health Department Director Edwin Sibanda said that they have tried to improve the security and lighting around some of these installations to reduce incidents of vandalism. He said:
<blockquote>
Most of our clinics have got solar services that is, a solar plant or solar power as backup.
Unfortunately for us, some of these solar power installations have not been spared by vandals and thieves and other people that have wrong and selfish intentions because some panels and batteries were stolen and thanks to our partners, some have been replaced.
</blockquote>
Matebeleland South Provincial Medical Director (PMD) Andrew Muza said:
<blockquote>
We have been working quite well with other stakeholders to protect the equipment. We are working with community members, the police and security sector to help us to be able to contain the situation.
We are retraining and reorienting security guards that are on the Ministry of Health side to deal with these cases of vandalism as well.
</blockquote>
The Provincial Medical Director for Masvingo, Amadeus Shamu, said:
<blockquote>
We have told the institutions to secure those installations. Most of them have managed to fence them and we also have the community coming where we don’t have security guards, we have communities guarding the institutions.
In this province, we have not recorded any cases of vandalism of solar equipment.
</blockquote>
Emmanuel Boadi, the UNDP Programme Manager, Global Fund said that there have been challenges of vandalism and theft of the components of the system.
He added that the UNDP-Global Fund project was working with stakeholders to ensure that the solar project continues into the future.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Thieves Target Solar Panel Systems At Hospitals, Clinics

The Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC), a subsidiary of ZESA Holdings, has started buying solar power from households.
So far, 117 households and businesses with solar power are selling their surplus to ZETDC under the power utility’s Net Metering programme.
Net Metering enables consumers who generate excess solar energy on their premises to feed the excess back into the ZETDC network via a grid-tied inverter. 
Those with solar power, a grid-tied inverter and the smart meter can sell electricity into the grid in return for electricity tokens they use when they do not have sufficient renewable supply.
According to ZETDC, as of January 2023, 117 connections had been made out of the 175 successful applications that were received, with the remaining applications still being evaluated.
ZETDC said that the connected installed capacity stood at 4.9MW, while the total capacity for all the applications received is at 12.5MW.
Speaking to <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/zesa-starts-buying-solar-power-from-households/">The Herald</a>, ZESA stakeholder relations communications and welfare manager George Manyaya said:
<blockquote>
The system starts with solar panels that convert energy from the sun into electricity, an inverter then converts the electricity produced by the solar panels from direct current alternating current for use in your home, school, or business.
Finally, the installed bi-directional meter measures the energy used and excess energy produced which is passed on to the grid
The customer gets their proportional electrical power units credited to their ZETDC account and not in monetary value.
Customers can pass on their surplus generated energy to ZETDC. This power is then used to offset electric energy provided by ZETDC to the customer during an applicable billing period.
</blockquote>
This means that the electricity for those on net metering will be cheaper whenever they recharge or pay a post-paid bill.

ZESA Starts Buying Solar Power From Its Customers

The ongoing electricity crisis in the country has become a blessing in disguise for Bulawayo shops trading in renewable energy gadgets such as solar panels.
The rolling blackouts have resulted in businesses and households going for up to 18 hours a day without electricity.
A sales representative at Electrical Sales in Bulawayo Central Business District told ZimLive that they have registered an increase in sales in the past few weeks. Said the salesperson:
<blockquote>
We have witnessed an increase in sales of solar panels, inverters, and batteries in the past few weeks.
Our largest market for solar used to be businesses. Now we are noticing a shift as clients enquire about household use.
In a day, we have about 30 inquiries or so. Clients want to understand how it works and the costs; then they come back when they get the money.
</blockquote>
A sales representative at Halsted Builders Express who preferred anonymity told ZimLive that demand for solar power systems was becoming higher. He said:
<blockquote>
During the festive season, we always record high sales of solar panels, especially from our clients in rural areas.
This time around, we have seen many clients purchasing solar power systems due to load shedding.
</blockquote>
A survey conducted by ZimLive in Bulawayo CBD established that a 1kilovolt (kva) solar system ranged from US$1 000 to US$1 200. This powers 4 lights, a television, WIFI, and a decoder. | <a href="https://www.zimlive.com/bulawayo-solar-energy-dealers-profit-from-zesa-power-outages/">ZimLive</a>

Solar Energy Dealers Profit From ZESA Load Shedding

The government is installing solar panels at the homes of at least 100 top government officials, including service chiefs so that they will not endure the effects of rolling power cuts.
All this is being done at the taxpayers’ expense.
The Standard reported senior government sources as saying a local company (name supplied) has been contracted to install a 5 kilovolt (Kva) solar system at a cost of US$ 14 000 each for top chefs.
The beneficiaries include Cabinet ministers, senior government officials, commissioners, and army generals.
They will get a full package of the 5 Kva solar system, which consists of accessories and labour, and costs between US$3 000 and US$5 000.
However, the government will be paying US$14 000 for the same service — a 200% inflated price, reported The Standard.
Energy ministry permanent secretary Gloria Magombo confirmed that top government officials will get the home solar energy systems when contacted for comment on Saturday. She said:
<blockquote>
This is a project that is being managed by the PSC. As the ministry of Energy and Power Development, we are just providing technical support and consultancy.
As for further details, we are not aware.
However, I understand that government has a solar power plan, which will benefit not only civil servants’ but even ordinary people and other public institutions.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Union (ZCTU) secretary general Japhet Moyo criticised the government for taking taxpayers’ money to fund the lifestyles of bigwigs. He said:
<blockquote>
The issue of electricity is affecting everyone and all citizens are equal according to the supreme law of the land.
Those who pay the tax are in darkness for over 19 hours while some are cushioned from the pain of the power struggles. Citizens should definitely challenge this.
The senior public servants should bear the same challenges faced by every other citizen.
That will push them as policymakers to address the problem.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe Confederation of Public Sector Trade Unions’ Goodwill Taderera said:
<blockquote>
We know nothing about the solar scheme, but based on past experience, those at the top are the ones benefiting while the rest of the civil servants are just being used as a scapegoat.
Government has pledged several non-monetary incentives to its workers, but nothing has been implemented.
The solar installation pledge for civil servants is just empty talk.
Government has no capacity to install solar systems for every civil servant. How can it manage to do so when it has been failing to improve salaries?
</blockquote>
| <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/thestandard/local-news/article/200004885/bigwigs-shielded-from-power-cutschefs-get-free-solar-systems">The Standard</a>

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