Trigershot Engineering is a red-hot renewable energy service provider, which has hit the Zimbabwean market by storm. Specializing in residential, commercial, industrial and institutional renewable energy projects, we take a deep dive into their operations. Their solar projects are leaving a legacy in society and helping fight climate change whilst creating green jobs. To get more insights, the Green Business Gazette (GBG) interviewed the founder of Trigershot Engineering – Mr Peace Wutawunashe.
GBG: May you briefly introduce yourself
PW: My name is Peace Wutawunashe and I am a holder of a Degree in Banking and Finance, a qualified Project Management Professional (PMP) and I am currently in pursuit of a Master’s Degree in Renewable Energy. I am a young and vibrant entrepreneur driven by the desire to provide simple and reliable solutions to the problems plaguing Zimbabwe and Africa at large. This has driven my will to venture into providing engineering solutions particularly in the renewable energy sector.
I am the founder and CEO of Trigershot Engineering, an innovative and dynamic entity providing top-notch and state-of -the-art engineering design, procurement, construction and project management (EPCM) services for residential, commercial and industrial infrastructure. We have young and enthusiastic engineers who are abreast with cutting-edge solutions in the renewable energy sector.
GBG: What is the main mission, vision and core-business of Trigershot Engineering?
PW: Our mission is to be the engineering company of choice, producing quality projects within budget and meeting performance specification. We aim to be at the forefront in the construction industry and utility scale power projects, building on its extensive experience of medium to large scale projects. The company is well positioned to meet the challenges of the rapidly growing global market. We value integrity, professionalism, promote health and safety and we have respect for diversity. Trigershot Engineering’s core-business is that it specializes in solar photovoltaic systems design and installations. We are also experts in civil and structural engineering.
GBG: Which products and services are offered by Trigershot Engineering?
PW: We offer a wide range of products and services. These include complete EPC service, engineering, procurement and operation and maintenance complete EPC. I will explain these in detail one by one. On complete EPC service, Trigershot offers complete end-to-end consultancy services and solutions from resource assessment and feasibility analysis of the site to the designing and installation of the solution.
When it comes to engineering services, the core team of in-house design experts uses cutting-edge software to design layouts and choose the best technology for renewable energy solutions. Trigershot produces optimized design for lowest capital cost and higher ROI after thoroughly studying the long-term energy prediction analysis. We have young and innovative engineers who are familiar with various solar systems that include but are not limited to; large commercial solar systems, high volume solar water pumping, household solar systems and solar water heating.
Trigershot Engineering prides itself in its access to the best and genuine technology solutions facilitated by its wide experience across global supply chains and long-term component partnerships it shares with equipment suppliers such as VICTRON ENERGY, PHOCOS GLOBAL, PYLON-TECH and FREEDOM WON, to mention a few. Hence, we offer procurement services.
As I mentioned above we also offer operation & maintenance complete EPC services. In this regard we offer post commissioning monitoring operations and maintenance support with tailor made O&M packages for smooth operation. With our monitoring systems integrated with the inverter, you can monitor real time generation activities. We have introduced innovative ways of providing unparalleled after sales service to the customer.
GBG: Take us through your journey and motivation in establishing a renewable energy enterprise.
PW: To say I have always had a huge inclination towards business and entrepreneurship would be an understatement. Even at nursery school my response to the “What do you want to be when you grow up?” question was, “I want to be a business man and sell ‘gonyets’ or trucks.” As is the common case for most of my agemates, I went through the various stages of schooling right up to degree level with hopes of landing a high-paying job and eventually becoming rich. Regardless of being a high-end performer at my job during the attachment year, I was not at peace. My search for self-actualization led me into finally starting this business.
Knowing that a business can only be as sustainable as its cause, I had to look for a genuine problem to solve. I must admit, it was a strenuous and daunting task. Alas, the answer was right in front of me when I had to spend a week at an off-grid rural homestead, yet I still needed to be online. This, coupled with my desire to make a difference as a young person and as a responsible citizen of Zimbabwe, resulted in me embarking on this journey. One thing led to another and today our company stands amongst the fast-growing initiatives offering energy solutions. With time I began to understand the dynamics of climate change, and the negative impacts of fossil fuels on the future of mankind, let alone the answers that renewable energy provides to the electricity crisis as well.
GBG: Currently, which parts of the country have you done renewable installations? Do you have any plans for expanding into the region and beyond?
PW: Presently, we’ve done works in various cities in the provinces of Masvingo, Harare and Manicaland. We aim to cover the rest of Zimbabwe and establish a sound regional presence within the next five years. To achieve this, we already have working relationships with manufacturers such as Phocos Global and plans are already underway to have us feature on their global success stories as a way of promoting renewable energy in Africa.
GBG: Which stakeholders and partners do you work with?
PW: We identify as a youth-centered entity, working hand in hand with various NGOs, several residential clients, the mining sector, industrial players and commercial establishments. We also work together with polytechnics and educational institutions.
GBG: How is the market receiving your products and services and are there any lessons learnt in the process?
PW: Our entry into this already flooded market was not easy in terms of gaining our own market share, however, we’ve managed to realize fast-tracked growth by constantly reviewing our processes and being innovative. We’ve since learnt the huge need to strike a balance between the needs and wants of the clients, especially when it comes to renewable energy solutions. We’ve designed and implemented systematic structures to keep up with inventions in the industry. We acknowledge the role that research and development plays in this sector. We have also noted the need to always and by all means strive to offer world-class products and solutions.
GBG: What is your role in climate change mitigation and adaptation as an organization?
PW: Following the COP26 held in November 2022, Zimbabwe, among other member-states made a commitment and submitted its Revised Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). The country also upgraded its ambition of reducing emission from 33% to 40% by the year 2030. Zimbabwe is also working hard to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG number 7 on affordable and clean energy. The world is faced with the need to reduce its carbon footprint from all parts of the planet. Trigershot Engineering and other organizations alike play a huge role in the materialization of these aims. Every energy load taken off the grid equates to a significant reduction in carbon emissions. Our role therefore is to provide clean and affordable energy alternatives and assist in the reduction of the use of fossil fuel to the places furthest from the grid. We also work to provide green jobs.
Given the climate change impacts like droughts that continue to bedevil our nation, we support communities including marginalized groups with energy solutions that help in extracting water to improve their production through solar powered systems from any water source. This enables them to have all year-round production and improve food security. In addition, our processes are guided by the government’s drive towards Vision 2030 and UNDP goal of ‘leaving no one behind’ and we strive to ensure that the solutions we offer are responsive to the needs of women, youth and persons with disabilities. The measures embedded within these will see the nation of Zimbabwe adapting smoothly to climate change as well as enhancing the livelihoods and wellbeing of the different groups we serve.
GBG: In your own view as an expert, what potential is there in the renewable sector in terms of boosting energy generation and efficiency in Zimbabwe?
PW: Vast potential is within Zimbabwe as far as renewable energy harvesting is concerned. To start with, our solar irradiation averages 20MJ per square metre and 3000 hours of sunshine per year which translates to about 109GW. Based on estimates, Zimbabwe has a wind energy resource potential of 39.3 GW, geothermal potential of about 50MW, hydro-energy potential of more than 2000MW along Zambezi River and mini-hydro sites and dams. Biomass, bagasse and bio-waste are also abundantly available for exploitation
Parallel to this, power generation from the five main power stations as of 08 July 2022 was recorded as 1320MW. Certainly, with these numbers, investments in renewable energy will boost energy generation and efficiency in Zimbabwe.
GBG: There has been instances where some members of the public say that solar power is not as effective as hydroelectric or thermal power. What do you have to say to this from an expert’s point of view?
PW: A key point to note is that renewable energy is INTERMITENT. This is not the case for solar power alone. In simple terms, most renewable energy resources come together with a need for storage facilities. Because of this, the solar power solutions have high installation costs though they then offer low running and maintenance costs. Moreover, the maximum efficiencies recorded in photovoltaic panels to date is 22.6% by SUNPOWER. Though these facts stand, they cannot be a basis for judging solar as ineffective as it still meets energy demand, when the system is properly sized and proper storage systems in terms of batteries are installed.
GBG: The world is currently raving about going green. What potential does Zimbabwe have across all sectors (residential, commercial, industrial and mining) in harnessing solar power and going green?
PW: The biggest consumers of land and energy happen to be within the residential, commercial, industrial and mining sectors. Incorporation of renewable energy by these sectors will see Zimbabwe achieving massive gains.
Advantages of solar power and going green include:
- The energy is renewable (the sun never runs out, at least in the foreseeable future)
- Reduced electricity import bills
- Diversity in applications
- It is environmentally friendly (to mention just a few)
GBG: Do you have any sustainability policies and standards that you use that guide your products and operations?
PW: Our processes and company policies are largely guided and intertwined by the National Energy Policy (2012), Renewable Energy Policy (2019) and the Biofuels Policy (2019). We strive to keep up with the offerings from ZERA (Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority) in this regard.
GBG: What are your final words of encouragement to stakeholders who have not yet adopted renewable energy in Zimbabwe?
PW: It is sad to say that most people believe when they see, yet more often than not, tragedies become apparent when it’s already too late. Climate change is real! So is Global Warming and the Greenhouse Effect! The fight against these cannot be avoided. Let us all play our part in fighting this challenge of climate change by embracing and advancing renewable energy technologies in the home, at work, in industry and as a nation at large. A thousand miles begin with a step and let’s start now to walk the talk of reducing greenhouse gas emissions individually and corporately.
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