Ministry of Energy and Power Development is in the process of engaging stakeholders around the country towards the drafting of a National Renewable Energy Policy document.
By Jeoffrey Ncube
Speaking at the National Renewable Energy Policy validation workshop held in Harare on Thursday, Energy and Power Development Minister, Samuel Undenge said they are making a concerted efforts to ensure the country has enough access to energy.
“We have to make a concerted effort to ensure that our people have access to energy.
“But access to energy is not sufficient, rather we have to ensure that affordable energy is created and more specifically, affordable modern energy.
“This is a challenge that many developing Nations are grappling with an Zimbabwe is no exception, around 60% of this country`s population is not connected to the National Electricity Grid and this deprives the majority of the population from using gadgets like refrigerators,electric stoves and television sets,” he said.
Undenge said school children who do not have access electricity are resorting to other forms of energy which are hazardous to their health.
“School going children who do not have access to the grid are forced to use paraffin, candles and other unclean non renewable sources of energy for lighting in order for them to study at night.
“These forms of energy are potentially hazardous to their health, “he said, adding that his ministry’s vision is to achieve sustainable and modern energy in Zimbabwe by 2030.
“It is the vision of my Ministry to achieve universal access to sustainable and modern energy by 2030 .This is supported by our mission statement which is to provide adequate and sustainable energy supply through formulating effective policies and regulatory frame works,” said Undenge.
