Responding to questions by The Zimbabwean, REA spokesperson, Johannes Nyamayedenga, said plans to build seven hydro power stations along the Save River catchment area were at an advanced stage.
“We are working in partnership with an Indian company, WAPCOS Limited, and have produced detailed feasibility studies on Ruti Dam which will produce 750 kilowatts, Siya Dam 250kw, Manyuchi Dam 1.5 megawatts, Gairezi River 30 MW, Duru River 6 MW, Osborne Dam and Pungwe are yet to be finished,” said Nyamayedenga.
He said a total of 6,985 out of 10,195 rural institutions including schools, rural health centres, government institutions, farms and villages had been electrified.
“Since 2002, we have installed nearly 400 mini grid solar systems,” he said.
“We are 68 percent electrified as a country but only 12 percent of the rural population has access to energy. The challenge is still enormous.”
Nyamayedenga said environmental factors were forcing REA to work on existing dams to build more hydro power stations. However, he could not reveal the budget for the set for hydro projects.
Nyamayedenga said the government was committed to addressing the energy requirements of rural communities which have not yet benefited.
“The government has allocated REA $1.5m for the solar lanterns projects. We use energy from grid electricity, solar or bio energy,” he said. “At the moment, we are running pilot projects of biogas at Harare Hospital, PIG Industry Board and Roosevelt School. We have also introduced a new electrification project using Single Wire Earth Return technology. The project of a single electricity cable as opposed to three wires is cost effective and fast to implement.”
Last year, Zimbabwean and Indian partners came up with a strategic plan that not only includes the theoretical aspects of water resource development and management but has practical recommendations on projects on irrigation, agriculture, water supply, hydropower and sedimentation.
A non-governmental organisation, Practical Action, recently set up three mini-hydropower systems in Nyanga, Cashel Valley and Nyamarimbe and is looking forward to starting a new one in Chipembere in Mutare. Manicaland is identified as the most suitable area for pilot hydropower systems because of its terrain and availability of perennial rivers.
Post published in: News