Siphakeme .Mnindwa
Nqobile Bhebhe in Victoria Falls
CLEAN energy usage is no longer a luxury but a necessity that the construction sector should embrace, as it is key to unlocking a sustainable future for the planet, Vice-President Dr Constantino Chiwenga said yesterday.
Addressing delegates at the inaugural Zimbabwe Building Contractors Association summit in Victoria Falls, Dr Chiwenga stressed that there should be a policy compelling all new buildings to have solar facilities.
“You cannot say we have no electricity; use clean energy. There should be a policy that ensures every building being built is equipped with solar panels. We are combining construction with clean energy,” said VP Chiwenga in his off-the-cuff remarks to construction players.
Dr Chiwenga outlined the benefits of using clean energy to construction players, including representatives from South Africa and Zambia.
“The adoption of clean energy will significantly reduce our carbon footprint on the environment while powering our construction sites, infrastructure, homes, industries, and transportation systems.”
He told delegates that recognising the importance of energy in its industrialisation agenda, SADC has enacted several strategic plans for energy development in the region. These include the Regional Energy Access Strategy and Action Plan 2020 to 2030, the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Strategy and Action Plan 2016 to 2030, the SADC Industrial Energy Efficiency Programme, and the development of the Regional Gas Master Plan.
These development strategies set out tangible objectives for SADC and its Member States for infrastructure development in energy and its sub-sectors of wood fuel, petroleum and natural gas, electricity, coal, renewable energy, and energy efficiency and conservation, he said.
“I therefore call upon greater co-operation on research and development of low-cost and environmentally sustainable energy sources applicable to Southern Africa.
“With this in mind, as Zimbabwe, let us embrace our collective responsibility to protect the environment and mitigate the effects of El Niño by embracing smart energy,” said VP Chiwenga.
The regional bloc has been grappling with severe power shortages, leading to widespread load shedding in countries such as South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Zambia.
The power shortages have been exacerbated by various factors, including the impact of climate change on water resources for hydroelectric power generation, ageing infrastructure, and insufficient investment in new power generation capacity.
Shortages of water for generation at the Kariba South Hydro Electrical Power Station have seen Zimbabwe experiencing power shortages.
Energy experts believe that key energy solutions lie in prioritising renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, to diversify the energy mix and reduce reliance on traditional fossil fuels and hydroelectric power. The SADC region has vast untapped potential for renewable energy, and leveraging this potential could significantly bolster the region’s energy security.
By harnessing the abundant solar and wind resources in the region, SADC member states can make significant strides in addressing the power shortages. The Southern African Power Pool (SAPP), which coordinates the planning, generation, and transmission of electricity on behalf of member state utilities in SADC, expects to achieve a renewable energy mix in the regional energy grid of at least 32 percent of the total energy produced by 2020, which should rise to 35 percent by 2030.
The SAPP, a regional initiative aimed at promoting cross-border electricity trade and co-operation, can also play a pivotal role in addressing the power shortages.
