Solar energy panels are installed to alleviate power shortage in many African countries (HELLORF)

Zimbabwe is experiencing its worst power outages in a decade, with daily load shedding lasting more than 18 hours.

"Some of us have decided to work during [the hours around] midnight because it is the only time we are guaranteed electricity," said Gundani Moyo, a welder in Harare, capital of Zimbabwe.

Compounding the issue is the country's major source of hydropower Kariba Dam, which is left with just 24 percent of water usable for generating electricity. Drought in the region means that the flow of the Zambezi River that feeds Kariba has dwindled to far below what is required. As the water levels drop, the capacity for hydropower plants to generate electricity subsequently decreases.

The water level in Kariba continued receding, dropping by 10 cm over the course of July, before closing at 478.88 meters (24 percent usable storage) on July 29, 2019. Last year on the same date, the water level was 486.76 meters, according to the Zambezi Water Authority, a body which oversees the affairs of the dam.

Climate change root

"It is a climate change issue," said Priscah Mugabe, a climate expert at the Institute of Environmental Studies at the University of Zimbabwe. "Climate change is reflected in rainfall patterns in Zimbabwe from 1901 up to the present day."

Persistent droughts in the country due to climate change have made hydropower energy less reliable, prompting the Zimbabwean Government to look to renewable energy, most notably solar energy.

"Solar energy can alleviate the country's dependence on both hydropower energy and nonrenewable fossil fuels, and it can significantly reduce the imports of energy, saving scarce foreign currency. This can be used for other national developmental programs," said Fortune Chasi, Zimbabwe's Minister of Energy and Power Development.

He said that China has become one of the key partners in helping Zimbabwe alleviate the power shortages through the installation of solar panels and systems in households.

"More than 10,000 solar home systems have been installed countrywide," said Chasi, adding that 400 solar mini-grids have also been set up at rural schools and clinics.

To further boost adoption of solar power, the government has waived import duties on solar energy technologies and made solar power mandatory for new construction projects.

"To alleviate the situation on the power supply front, the government resolved that a large-scale program be implemented to promote the import and local production of solar equipment, and the use of solar power as an alternative energy source," said Monica Mutsvangwa, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services of Zimbabwe, at a news briefing.

China assistance

To assist the government in setting up solar energy facilities, work at Zimbabwe's Gwanda Solar Plant has commenced, after Chinese electrical engineering giant CHINT Electric Co. Ltd. reaffirmed its commitment to implementing a 100-mw solar project in the shortest possible time.

In the letter written by the company's Vice President Lin Bosheng to the Zimbabwe Government in April this year, Lin said Zimbabwe has excellent solar radiation conditions and a good electricity transmission system.

He also said that building excess power generation capacity through clean, renewable energy sources, such as solar power, represents an opportunity for Zimbabwe to earn much-needed foreign currency, as the country can export electricity to other members of the Southern African Development Community.

"Zimbabwe and China have long-standing relations in various areas such as culture and economic cooperation, dating back over 60 years; so we can count on the support and goodwill of both our governments to see this project to fruition," said Lin.

CHINT is the fourth-largest private energy enterprise in China and has successfully installed an estimated 5,000 mw of solar power plants worldwide, including power systems for Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Co.

Investing in opportunities

Apart from CHINT, Chinese solar energy solution company Yaowei Technology said it will set up a $15-million solar panel production plant in Zimbabwe and produce about 500 solar panels per day.

Once the project takes off, it will significantly address the ongoing electricity shortages caused by low water levels in Kariba Dam and obsolete equipment at the country's Hwange Thermal Power Station.

"The plant is expected to produce at least 500 solar panels a day to augment power supply in the country and will also help in creating job opportunities for the locals," Cheng Hangjian, Yaowei Technology Director, told media in Harare on July 19. "Currently, we are doing feasibility studies to seek more investment opportunities." Cheng believes that Zimbabwe has enough resources to turn around the fortunes of the economy.

Cheng said Zimbabwe needs to invest in research to make use of the available opportunities, be it in mining, agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, or other sectors, and called on the private sector to play a leading role in the promotion of sustainable energy for the country to realize its potential.

"The country has vast opportunities which are not fully utilized. Hence, there is need to use local resources to alleviate power shortages such as the use of solar energy," said Cheng, who added that the current power outages require both the public and the private sector to play a part in addressing the challenges.

There are also other power projects on the go to resuscitate the country's power woes.

China has, over the years, worked with Zimbabwe to address its energy challenges. In 2015, China's Sinohydro Corp. entered into a deal with the Zimbabwean Government to expand the Kariba South Power Station at a cost of $533 million. The project was completed and has since been commissioned.

"Another big project, Hwange Thermal Power Station expansion project, is underway and will be completed in less than three years. By the time of completion, it will have created 3,000 jobs for Zimbabweans and add another 600 mw to Zimbabwe's power grid. This can help Zimbabwe gain energy sufficiency," said Guo Shaochun, Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe.

In addition, Power Construction Corp. of China and the U.S. electrical systems giant General Electric were recently selected by Zimbabwe and Zambia to undertake construction of the Batoka Gorge Hydroelectric Power Station, which will bring 2,800 mw to be shared between the two countries.

(Reporting from Zimbabwe)

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