Zimbabwe devising renewables FiT scheme - report

Oct 21, 2013 - The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera) is working on a feed-in tariff (FiT) programme for renewables, local newspaper The Standard said Sunday.

The news service cited Zera’s chairman Canada Malu-nga as saying last week that solar, small hydropower, biomass, bagasse and biogas projects will be able to qualify for the incentives.

The adoption of FiTs aims to stimulate the private sector to take part in the production of power from renewable energy sources. At present, the regulator is assessing operational and capital costs of current renewable energy projects in order to set the appropriate rates. It has hired Camco Clean Energy Consultants to develop the FiT scheme.

Currently, renewable energy developers in Zimbabwe get USD 0.09 (EUR 0.066) per kWh, which is not sufficient and does not ensure return on investment. Under the planned FiT scheme, renewable power producers will get a guaranteed power sale rate for a fixed period of time.

Power demand in Zimbabwe, which is presently facing huge power shortages, is estimated at between 1,900 MW and 2,200 MW. As of October 17, the country’s total electricity production amounted to 1,119 MW.

Kenya, Botswana, Namibia and other African countries are also planning renewable energy procurement schemes, according to the report.

(USD 1.0 = EUR 0.732)

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