ZERA close to finalising renewable energy tariffs

Published: 22 November 2013

Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority is finalising the development of Renewable energy feed in tariffs (REFIT) which will help in the implementation of power projects under the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation (Zim Asset).

Speaking at a second stakeholders workshop in Harare yesterday Energy and Power Development permanent secretary Mr Partson Mbiriri said that the REFIT project will go a long way in achieving the ministry's strategic goals.

"The REFIT project will help to increase the use of renewable energy resources by 300MW by 2018 and to increase the national power supply to 1700MW by 2021," he said.

He added that the feed in tariffs are to be developed for applicable re- technologies in the country such as solar, biomass, biogas and bagasse and the development will boost the economy.

"The development of REFIT will enable the country to realise sustainable economic growth and development, poverty reduction, economic empowerment and employment creation," he said.

He added that the Government expect private sector industry to respond positively to the initiatives of the blueprint which are increased investment in infrastructure such as energy and power development, roads, rail, telecommunications and water and sanitation among others. Zimbabwe's tariff regime is pegged at an average of US$0,09 per unit, which investors believe is not sufficient to provide a sufficient rate of return on investment.

Mr Mbiriri also pointed out that the hydro sector has the potential to produce up to 5 000 MW and it comes cheap at US$0,06 per kilowatt hour.

Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority chief executive Engineer Gloria Magombo said that REFIT is a concrete plan that will complement the Ministry of Energy and Power Development.
- bh24