By Takunda Chimwaka
Government is set to enhance local generation of energy which is expected to increase access to affordable and reliable renewable energy and electricity, Harare Post has learnt.
The Cabinet, in its 40th decision matrix meeting held yesterday, approved the memorandum of understanding between the Republic of Zimbabwe and Life Academy on cooperation in the field energy.
The memorandum provides a governing framework in the cooperation and investment in the development of renewable energy sources.
The energy generation programme will seek to develop modern and sustainable energy systems, inclusive of all forms of renewable energy such as solar, wind, hydro and geothermal.
Life Academy already commenced Global Capacity Development Training Programme on renewable energy which will be expanded to benefit many Zimbabweans as part of the broader human capacity development in line with vision 2030.
Life Academy is a global actor in capacity building and knowledge exchange for sustainable development and was commissioned by the Swedish Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) to implement global capacity training programmes on renewable energy.
Presenting on the country’s power supply situation in the same meeting, Minister of Energy and Power Development, Fortune Chasi highlighted that the current power outages are adversely impacting on production across all sectors of the economy.
Cabinet noted with concern the vandalism that is being perpetuated by unruly elements on electricity transmission and distribution infrastructure and reaffirmed that measures to curtail such sabotage activities were being instigated.
Minister Chasi informed the Cabinet that although the country’s power generation capacity is facing challenges mainly due to drought, power augmentation projects were being implemented countrywide.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Sithembiso Nyoni, briefed the Cabinet that the Ministry has managed to register a total of 241 fishery cooperatives meant to benefit women under the Tugwi-Mukosi development initiative and are expected to contribute to household and national food security.
