Restoring Zim’s Economy through embracing the transition of a Renewable Clean Energy Era

Zimbabwe still has a chance to restore its economy in the Renewable Clean energy Era.Renewable energy resources will support our economy, create jobs for the citizens and move Zimbabwe towards a cleaner and more reliable energy future.

By Tinashe Masimbe

As most Zimbabweans are losing their jobs each day because of the current economy stress and the unemployment rate of the country standing at 80%. The numbers of those in formal employment are steadily decreasing, as an economic squeeze tightens. More than 6000 people were reported officially retrenched in 2014.

The use of modern renewable energy technologies produces less pollution than burning fossil fuels especially with respect to net emissions of greenhouse gases, and the world coming together to achieve a legally binding and universal agreement on climate, with the aim of keeping global warming below 2°C . Local renewable energy resources also represent a secure and stable source of energy for our country and a potential source of jobs, economic development and improve gross domestic product.

Government of Zimbabwe is in the process of developing a renewable energy policy, according to ZERA in 2014. However, there is need for Zimbabwe to move at a faster pace. In 2009, the Union of Concerned Scientists conducted an analysis of the economic benefits of a 25 percent renewable energy standard by 2025; it found that such a policy would create more than three times as many jobs as producing an equivalent amount of electricity from fossil fuels resulting in a benefit of 202,000 new jobs in 2025.

Jobs directly created in the renewable energy industry and growth in renewable energy creates positive economic “ripple” effects. For example, industries in the renewable energy supply chain will benefit, and unrelated local businesses will benefit from increased household and business incomes (EPA,2010).

According to the Union Scientists increasing our use of renewable energy offers other important economic development benefits. The government can collect property and income taxes and other payments from renewable energy project owners. These revenues can help support vital public services, especially in rural communities where projects are often located.

Renewable energy can provide an affordable and consistent electricity supply across the country and solve the issue of serious power cuts. Total electricity generation in 2009 stood at 7,900 GWh, of which 53.3% or 4,303 GWh was produced from renewable sources. Electricity consumption per capita in 2009 stood at 1,022 kWh (REEEP,2012). Renewables can help stabilize power supply and energy prices in the future.

Renewable energy sources are more resilient than fossil fuels in times of recurring droughts and flooding extreme weather events. Solar PV is less prone to large scale failure because of Zimbabwe’s abundance of sunshine throughout the year.

Investment in locally available renewable energy generates more jobs, greater earnings, and higher output. Climate communicators say, “Renewable energy investment is paying off and those countries failing to embrace the transition are missing out. Countries are reaping the benefits of renewables, including home grown jobs, cleaner air, energy security and safer investments.”

IRENA Director-General Adnan Z. Amin mentions, “As many economies are still recovering from the global financial crisis, renewable energy offers an opportunity to grow economies, improve energy security, enhance energy access, and mitigate climate change,”.

According to IRENA, in 2014 an estimated 7.7 million people in the world worked directly or indirectly in the energy sector, with an additional 1.5 million in large-scale hydropower.Solar PV is the largest employer, with 2.5 million jobs.

As Zimbabwe’s average solar insolation stands at 5.7 kWh/ m2/day. The potential for renewable energy, especially from solar PV and solar water heaters, is enormous but thus far hasn’t been sufficiently exploited. Solar PV has a technical potential of over 300 MW, whilst only 1% of the technical potential for water heaters is being exploited (REEEP, 2012). All these statistics prove Zimbabwe can still rebuild its economy profitably through embracing the transition of a renewable energy era.