The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) says it will this year conduct a nationwide energy survey with the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT) to determine how much of the country’s electricity demand is now being met by privately-funded solar systems, amid a growing shift by households and businesses towards self-generation.
The survey comes as Zimbabwe continues to experience electricity supply challenges, prompting many consumers to invest in rooftop solar systems, mini-grids and other off-grid energy solutions to cushion themselves against power outages.
In an interview, ZERA chief executive officer Edington Mazambani said while the authority had observed significant growth in private solar generation, it was still working to establish the sector’s full contribution to the national electricity supply.
“The authority is set to conduct an energy survey this year in partnership with ZIMSTAT and be able to get the correct figures for the percentage of Zimbabwe’s current electricity demand which is now being met by privately funded solar systems,” Mazambani said.
He said available indicators, however, showed that private investment in solar energy was steadily increasing.
“The demand being met by privately funded solar systems is certainly increasing given programmes like net metering where we now have cumulative connected capacity of about 94MW, plus 117MW from operational utility-scale independent power producer projects, the own-consumption solar plants by various entities, solar mini-grids and all off-grid systems,” he said.
Keep Reading
- Low tariffs weigh down ZETDC
- Thousands flee economic mess
- ZimStat undertakes to pay enumerators
- 'Apostolic sects frustrating fight against measles'
The growing adoption of solar energy has seen homes, commercial enterprises, farms, schools and industries increasingly install photovoltaic systems to reduce dependence on the national grid.
Despite the expansion of private investment in renewable energy, Mazambani said government remained committed to expanding public electricity generation.
“The government is still implementing power projects through Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) and will remain the major player in the sector,” he said.