With the price of energy ever fluctuating and security of supply never guaranteed in most countries, there is an imperative to move towards renewable energy technologies. Not only is renewable energy affordable in the long run, it is also cleaner to the environment. This is sweet music to nature enthusiasts as the world struggles with emerging challenges such as climate change and global warming.
For business, renewable energy offers a profitable solution to companies because they can free-up themselves from depending on purchased power. Renewable energy can even make companies be able to sell excess power to the grid through net metering mechanisms. There is a general agreement that reliance on fossil fuels will make the world vulnerable as this source exists in finite quantities which may deplete in future.
Leading applications of renewable energy have been demonstrated in different parts of the world. Globally it has been clearly demonstrated that solar, wind, biomass, geothermal and wave power will usher the world into a cleaner future. Germany, Sweden and Netherlands have made strides to be amongst the leading countries in the renewable energy apply sector.
National targets have seen ambitious plans to power economies tapping into renewable energy sources. Schipol International Airport in Netherlands has succeeded to become the greenest airport in the world and it implements various green initiatives. These range from effective waste segregation systems at sources, solar buses for mobility at the airport and getting energy supplies from wind farms. This shows the ability of renewable energy to stretch beyond the limits of humanity. Renewable energy has the potential to boost economic growth, create green jobs and increase revenue generating potential.
The challenge is how to get governments across the globe to prioritise investments in renewable energy. Governments can implement Renewable Energy Policies, provide financing for renewable energy, duty rebates and economic incentives to regard potential investments in renewable energy.
Renewable Energy Feed in Tariffs (REFIT) have been successful in Kenya, Netherlands and India amongst other countries. The REFIT policy instruments help to define the tariffs that any investors will receive upon feeding energy into the grid. The traditional model where power utilities had the sole mandate of generating and supplying energy to the population is well past its time. Independent Power Producers (IPPs) can help to complement power supply in both developing and developed countries.
In Zimbabwe, registration of IPPs is carried out by the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA). This is the case in several other countries and may vary slightly in a case where an Energy Commission exists or registration carried out through the relevant ministry. In March 2020, Zimbabwe launched the National Renewable Energy Policy to provide guidance and policy direction in the renewable energy sector. The National Biofuels Policy was also launched.
Zimbabwe has already witnessed companies like Econet investing massively in renewable energy technology specifically solar for rooftop installation in order to supply power for their offices. In addition leading beverages firm Schweppes Zimbabwe Limited launched a 1 Megawatt solar energy project at its industrial premises – the largest of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa outside South Africa. This project was commissioned by the Minister of Energy and Power Development – Advocate (Hon) Fortune Chasi and Minister of Industry and Commerce – (Hon) Sekai Nzenza. These emerging case studies are a true demonstration of the potential for renewable energy to drive socio-economic development in Zimbabwe.
Key considerations when planning renewable energy include the availability of equipment, quality of equipment, competence of installers and a clear plan of operation and maintenance. With renewable energy consumption set to increase exponentially across the world, it is becoming increasingly possible to build a low-carbon-resource efficient and resilient economy. The transformation must begin now!
