Mangaliso Kabulika
ENERGY and Power Development Minister Edgar Moyo has called for increased investment in solar and wind power to mitigate the impact of climate change and recurring droughts on the country’s hydroelectric power generation.
He also encouraged the adoption of energy efficiency programmes across all sectors of the economy. Power utility Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) has installed prepaid and smart meters to residential and commercial customers, but the transmission and distribution system continues to suffer from inefficiencies.
The country is aiming to reduce losses during transmission and distribution by 11 percent under the National Development Strategy 1.
“Climate change and recurrent droughts are emerging as a major risk to energy security especially hydro power.
“As such, it is critical to implement long term strategies to adopt solar and wind energy. Equally important is the adoption of energy efficiency programmes in all sectors of the economy. My ministry anticipates to implement the recent Energy Efficiency Policy in the near future.
“ZETDC has taken a bold step through the installation of prepaid and smart meters to both residential and commercial customers.
“Let me challenge the utility to continue with this positive trajectory and appeal to the utility to focus on reducing inefficiencies within the transmission and distribution system which continues to be a menace,” said Minister Moyo.