WHO IS TARGET CHIPUNGU?
Target Chipungu is the founder of Intermittent Energy Pvt Ltd. The organization which he leads, is a leading engineering company that provides renewable energy services to individuals and companies in order to increase their lead time on service provision. Target pioneered the formation of Intermittent Energy Pvt Ltd and has continued to play an active role in catapulting it to excellence at national and regional level. Target holds an MSc in Renewable Energy from University of Zimbabwe, Certificate in Project Management and a Bsc Degree in Industrial Engineering.
TARGET’S PHILOSOPHY
“I love what I do because this type of job involves projects especially residential homes. The joy that a client has when you leave them with access to energy is enough to drive me”.
TARGET’S EARLY YEARS
Target Chipungu realized that he had a passion for electrical work in his early days of secondary school when he began to pursue his purpose through seeking exposure at every given opportunity. He then realized he had a knack for electrical work due to his lack of hesitancy. From an early age, Target never exhibited fear when it came to problem solving, assembly and insulation. As a result, it came naturally to him that he had to pursue the relevant qualifications to allow him to fulfil his passion and talent in electrics unencumbered. He went on to be attached at Zimbabwe Power Company Kariba Power Station at a time when the water levels were decreasing.
As an intern, Target always pushed himself to come up with ideas of how to solve the current power situation. He became committed to facilitating a solution-orientedmindset and implementing ideas that would help alleviate the challenge of power supply. He was biased towards renewable energy have developed keen interest in solar. After completing his first degree, he decided to embark on a Masters Degree in Renewable Energy, where he further advanced himself in solar PV (photo voltaic) energy. Target consolidated his foothold on the renewable energy sector through networking and working with different stakeholders in the industry.
TARGET PIONEERS THE “PINK HAT INITIATIVE”
During Target Chipungu’s internship, a supervisor who was a woman visited him on one occasion to assess progress. The Supervisor was unpleasantly surprised to find that there were only a few women on site. That reaction from her struck Target and he realised that in the energy sector there were very few women taking part and getting involved.
Inspired by this challenge, Target decided to change the narrative by initiating reforms. One of the reforms that he championed include, giving more women a chance to showcase themselves in renewable energy. As a result, Intermittent Energy began to prioritise employing women and incorporating them in the operations of the company. As a company, Intermittent Energy realized that women can be equally faster and reliable in comparison with their male counterparts. As a result, “pink helmet initiative” was born to promote women empowerment in the energy sector. The pink hat initiative is an undertaking where the organisation identifies qualified female engineers, Class 1 rated, with capacity and passion for renewable energy.
Target Chipungu believes that the Pink Hat Initiative is a groundbreaking initiative which should be accelerated throughout the renewable energy industry
“In some cases, we have expanded our search criteria to also include unqualified female individuals whom we can take through formal training. This has been achieved through our long-standing partnerships with Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs). These organizations have databases of women who can benefit from the training that we offer. The training and skills are harnessed for community development as well as creating employment for the newly trained women. The key skills that we teach them are to do with electrical work, solar power installations, solar energy system maintenance and best practices in the industry”
TARGET’S OUTLOOK FOR THE RENEWABLE ENERGY SECTOR
Target believes that the renewable energy sector is growing at a fast pace. However, he notes that the Solar PV energy market to date in Zimbabwe is flooded with organisations and individuals who hold minimal expertise, less qualifications and international exposure. Target opines that most individuals and organisations doing renewable energy work are being led and managed by individuals who do not have adequate technical expertise in renewable energy. He believes that improved capacity building, training and certification are urgently required. His hope is that more companies emulate intermittent Energy, by having adequately qualified active team leaders. Target believes that this endeavor would mean that projects are in the hands of capable and qualified installers, thereby guaranteeing quality service delivery with attention to best practice. His desire is for Zimbabwe and the SADC region of Africa 100% access to energy, even in what seems the most remote areas.
“For every passion that you have, there is a road to be taken to pursue it. If you do not decide to take that road, do not think that you will still catch up with your passion and succeed” – Target Chipungu
