Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. THE much-hyped solar power project in Nzvimbe communal area, Manicaland province, is now 94% complete with the commissioning of the life changing project slated for early February.
The 153 kW solar power project is being constructed by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) using funds from the Rural Electrification Fund.
The US$700 000 project will see 63 homesteads, Nzvimbe Primary and Secondary schools, a clinic, a business centre, ZRP Base Station to community boreholes and five churches benefiting solar power.
Speaking to journalists during a tour of the project this week in Makoni district, Energy and Power Development minister July Moyo said the availability of power in the remote area will result in rural industrialisation.
“This project is not about solar energy harnessing only, but it is about industrial transformation in this area,” he said.
“As we all know, energy is an enabler to rural transformation, hence I urge this community to take stock of what they are going to do after this project is complete for their own benefit and that of the country.
“I have commissioned a number of such projects, but today I had the opportunity of seeing what is happening before a project is complete. So this is the right time for the community to begin planning on developmental projects and how it is going to be done.”
Added Moyo: “This is the time to establish village business units, schools business units, young people thinking of youth industrialisation.
“As we enter into NDS2 [National Development Strategy 2], we must intensify use of this project to improve the local economy.”
REA is establishing community solar projects across the country in a bid meant to improve access to clean energy in remote areas.
The solar projects are established in areas that are a distant from the national electricity grid.
REA acting chief executive officer Fellista Makumbinde said they are happy with the progress at the Nzvimbe solar plant.
“The project is now 94% complete and we will commissioning it early February, next year. A total of 15 shops will also be connected,” Makumbinde said.
“We are urging the community to use power generated here.
“The power tariffs to be collected here will be used to operate and maintain the solar power system.”
Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution minister Misheck Mugadza said Nzvimbe area will never be the same again in terms of development due to power availability.
“Nzvimbe is remote and power availability here will definitely change everything for the better,” he said.
“We are now expecting a satellite growth point because of power availability.”
The solar power project saw the erection of a 10,3km LT6 line, while beneficiaries living within its 1km radius getting connected.
Several homesteads outside the systems catchment area have benefited from independent home solar systems.
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