Alternative Technologies Manager Francis Nyikayaramba said the use of SWER reduced the cost of rural electrification by over 50 percent, making it possible for the agency to speed up rural electrification.
“The conventional 3-phase system takes longer to install. SWER is quicker because it uses a single conductor and fewer poles,” he said. “It costs 53 cents per metre for the conductor – which is a third of the price of conventional conductors – and needs fewer poles.” This reduces the costs of electrification by some 55 percent.
The agency’s marketing executive, Johannes Nyamayedenga, said they planned to electrify 10,000 institutions including schools, clinics and district administrative offices by next year.
Beatrice Muchabva, a sister at Nyamukoho Clinic, said she was now able to store medicines instead of people having to travel over 30 km to Mutoko for vaccinations that needed specific storage conditions.
“Thanks to SWER, pregnant mothers no longer bring candles and lamps to the clinic when they want to give birth. Even those at the maternity waiting rooms are happy that they have access to electricity,” she said.
Post published in: News