Nqobile Bhebhe
THE Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA), in collaboration with the Research Council of Zimbabwe (RCZ), has called for players in the energy sector to submit research proposals focused on energy production, delivery and storage, including exploring nuclear energy usage.
This comes in the wake of a serious drive the world over for countries to embrace clean energy sources as the world faces devastating effects of climate change.
The two institutions stressed that the proposals should pursue innovative solutions to recognised operational and developmental challenges, enhancing reliability in the generation, transmission, distribution and supply of modern energy while fostering heritage-based knowledge in the research area.
The Government has already indicated that it is considering exploring nuclear power generation to diversify the country’s energy mix.
Zimbabwe is believed to have uranium deposits in the Zambezi Valley in the Kanyemba area in Mashonaland Central province, which could be a valuable resource for nuclear power production.
In 2022, Zimbabwe signed a memorandum of understanding with the Russian State Atomic Energy Corporation (ROSATOM) on cooperation in the field of peaceful uses of atomic energy.
ROSATOM is the largest electricity producer in Russia and has 35 power stations in 12 countries.
According to the call, proposals should address issues in energy in line with the fourteen thematic areas of the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), National Energy Policy, Vision 2030, and the National Research Priorities.
“The research should be practical, usable and speak to the problems as well as opportunities for the country.
“The research should be within the context of energy in Zimbabwe includes the following research areas energy shortfalls/load shedding impacts and costs, transmission and distribution losses, renewable energy and energy efficiency innovation, electricity infrastructure protection against vandalism and theft, E-mobility, Nuclear Energy and Biomass energy utilisation,” reads part of the notice.
Funding is open, on a competitive basis, to Zimbabwean researchers in engineering, physical and social sciences, and any other academic disciplines, at local academic institutions, research institutions, or Government research departments.
Added to that, researchers from the private sector and non-profit organisations affiliated to a Zimbabwean- approved public institute are also encouraged to apply.
The deadline for submission of applications is January 31, 2025.
According to NDS1, energy is a crucial factor in accelerating the country’s modernisation and industrialisation agenda, as well as promoting sustainable socioeconomic growth in the face of climate change induced challenges.
To tackle ongoing power shortages, the Government is implementing several electricity generation projects, primarily financed through extra-budgetary funds, loans and the private sector.
In line with NDS1, ensuring reliable and affordable energy access is the Government’s top priority to provide economic growth and stability.
The country’s installed capacity of renewable energy, excluding large-scale hydropower, is expected to increase from about five percent in 2017 to about 27 percent in 2030.
The adoption of a diversified energy mix has helped Zimbabwe ease the strain on the national grid as more corporates and individuals embrace alternative energy to curtail load shedding, especially during winter when power demand is high.
While the Government is seized with pushing large-scale investments in big power stations, household consumers and industries have recently increased investments in renewable sources such as solar.
The use of liquefied petroleum gas and biofuels for domestic purposes such as cooking has cut off reliance on the national grid for many households.
