Cabinet approves MOU on renewable energy

Harare(New Ziana)-Cabinet on Tuesday approved the Memorandum of Understanding between Government and Life Academy on cooperation in the field of energy which will see locals being trained on renewable energy, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa has said.

Life Academy is a global actor in capacity building and knowledge exchange for sustainable development, and was commissioned by the Swedish Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) to plan and implement a global capacity development programme of renewable energy.

Addressing the weekly post- Cabinet media briefing, Mutsvangwa said the MOU provides a governing framework for cooperation and investment in the development of renewable energy sources among other things.

“The MOU underscores Government’s commitment to enhance local generation of energy, which is expected to lead to increased access to affordable, reliable renewable energy and access to electricity by the vulnerable and disadvantaged communities,” she said.

The programme, said Mutsvangwa, will be premised on learning and knowledge transfer, change management and sharing of experience.

“The envisaged training programme, which has already commenced, will be expanded to benefit many Zimbabweans as part of the broader human capacity development programme for the nation in line with vision 2030,” she said.

The programme also seeks to develop modern and sustainable energy systems inclusive of all forms of renewable energy such as solar, wind, hydro and geothermal.

Meanwhile, Mutsvangwa said Cabinet remained seized with the ongoing power outages that are adversely impacting on production across all sectors of the economy.

“Of major concern is the vandalism that is being perpetrated by unruly elements on electricity transmission and distribution infrastructure.

“Measures to curtail this trend, which is tantamount to sabotage, are being instituted. Investors are being invited to participate in the development of alternative technologies intended to minimise the act of vandalism and theft of essential equipment,” said Mutsvangwa.

New Ziana