Zimbabwe mandates much-needed solar energy in new builds

Bulawayo — Power-short Zimbabwe has removed import duties on solar energy-related products, from batteries to cables, and mandated that all new construction in the country include solar systems, government officials have said.

Zimbabwe’s government has increasingly called for expansion of renewable energy to meet power shortages, but a lack of effective co-ordination in policies has stood in the way, energy experts said. Solar suppliers and renewable energy experts said the costs of putting solar systems in place in Zimbabwe have been too high, holding back expansion of the clean power source.

Although solar panels, lamps, inverters and lanterns have been duty free, the government requires 15% VAT plus customs duty on batteries and other solar system components. Energy and power development minister Fortune Chasi told the Thomson Reuters Foundation the aim of the new policy changes is to “encourage even ordinary individuals to come in and invest in solar projects”.

“This initiative does not require one to be licensed but only requires households or premises to register with the power distribution company,” Siyakatshana said. “I think the ministry of energy and power development is on the right track if we start implementing solar options. The problem is that we talk for years and do not get any actual projects on the ground,” she said. “The big megawatt plants are not the only solution. If anything, they cost too much and take way long to implement.”

Source: News Formal (newsformal.com)

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