Energy in Zimbabwe

Energy in Zimbabwe is a serious problem for the country. Mainly, extensive use of firewood leads to deforestation and the electricity production capacity is too low for the current level of consumption.

Fuelwood

Fuelwood is the most important domestic fuel in Zimbabwe. It was estimated to stand for about 50% of the total consumption in 2001.^[1] This has led to deforestation in parts of the country with accompanying environmental problems such as erosion and diminishing wildlife.

Coal

Zimbabwe has 30 billion tons of coal in 21 known deposits. This could last for over 100 years at the 2001 rate of production.

In September 2013, the Chinese-backed company, China Africa Sunlight Energy, said it would begin work in early 2014 on a 600 MW coal-fired electricity plant in western Zimbabwe, part of $2 billion of energy projects in the country.^[2]

Liquid Fuels

Zimbabwe has no oil or gas recourses of its own and is completely dependent on imports for this source of energy.^[3] A pipeline from the Mozambique port of Beira to Mutare provides the majority of Zimbabwe's refined petroleum and diesel oil; the rest comes from South Africa.^[4] An ambitious project to produce 20% of the country's liquid fuel as ethanol from cane has been started in Chipinge, Manicaland.^[5]

Electricity

Electricity is generated at the Kariba Dam Hydroelectric Power Station (ca. 750 MW), the Hwange Thermal Power Station (installed capacity 920 MW) and three minor coal-fired stations. All coal-fired stations are in need of major upgrades due to neglect of maintenance and they have frequent production stops or are not producing at all. This leads to frequent and long lasting blackouts. The governmental owned Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) is the countries power generating and distributing company. Imports of energy from neighbouring countries are not enough to solve the undercapacity problem and lack of electricity hampers economic growth. Small scale power generators are used all over the country to ease the situation.

Animal Power

Animal power is a very useful source of energy in Zimbabwe. It is estimated that animals contribute with the equivalent of 6.8 million liters of diesel in the agricultural sector.^[1]

Renewable energy

Apart from the Kariba Dam power station hydropower has still a lot of potential, especially along the Zambesi river. Solar power has enormous potential both in small scale, such as water heating or in larger scale such as in solar power plants. However, the country's current economical condition makes the latter unrealistic. Wind and biogas energy are other possibilities.

References