Staff Reporter

Civil servants have hailed Government`s initiative to set up solar energy project for government workers in a bid to cushion them from excessive power cuts being caused by depressed power generation at Kariba Thermal Power Station.

Speaking to this publication today, Charity Maponga, a teacher from Hatcliffe, applauded the solar project initiative and said that it was a testimony of Government’s effort and commitment to improving the welfare of its workers.

 “This is a highly commendable move by the Government. It shows that the Government is sensitive to our plight as workers and is doing all it can to improve the living standards of all civil servants. We just hope that the project will be rolled out quickly without hindrances,” said Maponga.

Maponga added that the solar systems would help ease the load from the national grid and allow energy to be channeled to industry and manufacturing companies.

Another civil servant, Tendai Magari stated that the development was a form of empowerment for civil servants.

“The solar project proposed by the Government is a welcome move as it is a form of empowerment. Solar provides uninterrupted power supply and this would enable civil servants to be cushioned from blackouts caused by load shedding,” said Magari.

A civil servant from the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development who preferred anonymity, said that the world over, clean energy was being promoted and applauded the government for taking the initiative to provide sustainable, clean and reliable power through solar. He added that solar system was ideal for civil servants as it was cheaper to maintain and lasts longer without requiring service.

The same civil servant added that solar energy would help civil servants save money as there was no need to pay monthly utility bills.

Meanwhile, the country has suffered prolonged power cuts in the past few weeks due to lower water levels at Kariba Dam. The Kariba South Hydro Power Station provides Zimbabwe with about 70 percent of its electricity and has been producing less than its capacity of 1 050 megawatts in recent weeks due to receding water levels caused by lengthened droughts.