BEITBRIDGE, June 25 (NewsDay Live) -Energy and Power Development minister July Moyo has commissioned the 120kW Chitulipasi community solar mini-grid project in Beitbridge East constituency.
He was accompanied by Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs minister Albert Nguluvhe.
Moyo toured the local business centre where he met with 19 business operators benefiting from the mini-grid project.
He also visited a biogas digester owned by Simon Gumbo, one of the 19 villagers that have benefited from biogas digesters.
Moyo said the project had proved that solar energy could be used to electrify rural communities and support the government’s drive to expand access to clean energy.
“What has happened here shows that we are able to electrify all areas through solar,” he said.
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“The business community, the 19 of them, now have electricity. It is now possible for youths to be organised and venture into various projects such as welding. They will be employed and shun drugs.”
Moyo said his ministry targets to electrificafy all rural schools this year.
Implemented by the Rural Electrification Fund, the project is expected to provide electricity to Chitulipasi Primary School, 27 households, a clinic, business centre, police post, churches and other community facilities.