By Margaret Mvura

STAKEHOLDERS in renewable energy are calling on Government to expedite the implementation of the National Solar
Water Heating Programme (NSWHP) to solve the energy crisis in the country.
Players have expressed dissatisfaction with the slow pace of implementation of the project expected to ease pressure on power supply.
As the world aggressively promotes use of renewable and sustainable energy, the solar water-heating project is a ‘green initiative’ expected to alleviate the difficulties wrought by poor and erratic power supply.
The country has an estimated
250 000 to 300 000 electric geysers that are consuming large amounts of power.
Replacing these with solar geysers would save 300 to 400MW, a total output of an average power station.
The power import-bill will be significantly reduced.
Catherine Moyo (55), from Harare, says the investment in a solar geyser has enhanced her life.
“I have no doubt that I made a significant and wise investment in installing a solar water-heating geyser in my household,” she said.
“This is because my electricity bill has gone down to US$50 a month to US$20.
“People talk about leakages and other problems associated with these types of geysers, but I have not experienced them and would like to encourage others to go solar.”
Companies like Tech Africa, Sound Solar Private Limited and Impact Solar Energy are among the leading players in solar geysers.
Installation of solar geysers should not be viewed as a luxury, but a necessity supporting efforts to ensure that all people have access to renewable and sustainable energy.
It is estimated that at least 1, 3 billion people in the world have no access to energy and two million deaths a year occur due to lack of energy.
Rachel Kyte, the chief executive officer and special representative of the United Nations (UN) secretary-general for Sustainable Energy for All (SE4All) says there is a need for an energy transition that will usher in decarbonised economic development.
UN SE4All initiative is a global force for catalysing the efforts of various stakeholders around achieving SE4All by 2030 by setting targets around universal energy access, renewable and energy efficiency.
Speaking at the Energy Efficiency Global Forum (EE Global) 2016 in Washington, DC earlier this year, Kyte said: “This year, EE Global is critical in gaining the necessary political attention to rapidly increase the rate of efficiency if we are to achieve the global goal of sustainable energy for all and an energy transition that will usher in decarbonised economic development.
“Increasing energy productivity needs to be communicated in terms that people understand.
“It means cleaner air in our cities and better health.
“It means cheaper energy bills at home, more services and better appliances even for those beyond the grid.”
With nearly 40 percent of the world’s population relying on wood, coal, charcoal or animal waste to cook their food, it is crucial to provide cleaner energy to avoid women and children breathing toxic smoke that causes lung disease and kills nearly two million people a year.
Initiatives by Zimbabwe’s civil society organisations like HIVOS Regional Office for Southern Africa, ZERO Regional Environment Organisation, SNV and Environmental Management Trust are working towards total energy access for all by 2030.
Practical Action official Chiedza Mazaiwana says there is need to promote adoption of renewable energy.
“It is expensive to take conventional energy to isolated places since they are sparsely located. There is need to promote renewable energy systems such as solar systems.”
Zimbabwe Energy Council director Panganayi Sithole said there is need to do away with bureaucracy to effectively distribute renewable energy.