What alternative energy source does Zimbabwe have potential for?

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Zimbabwe Possesses Significant Potential for Solar Energy Development

Zimbabwe has considerable potential for alternative energy sources, particularly solar power, due to its favourable climate conditions. The country receives an average of 3,000 hours of sunshine annually, presenting a substantial opportunity for harnessing solar energy. Despite this potential, the government is pursuing coal extraction and power generation as a primary energy strategy.
Calls to Prioritise Solar Power

A nonprofit community group, the Greater Whange Residents Trust (GWRT), has actively urged the Zimbabwean government to shift its focus towards solar power. GWRT coordinator Fidelis Chima highlighted that Zimbabwe possesses a "great potential" for solar energy, advocating for the exploitation of its abundant sunshine as a greener and more innovative approach to meeting energy needs. This advocacy has even led to legal action, with GWRT suing the government in 2019 to compel consideration of clean energy investments over coal mining, a case that remains ongoing.
Environmental Concerns Regarding Coal Expansion

The push for coal development in Hwange, a district designated as a coal hub, involves significant investment from private entities, predominantly from China, with figures up to US$1 billion. This expansion is intended to boost Zimbabwe's mining industry to a US$12-billion sector by 2023 and aims to add approximately 5,000 megawatts of electricity to the national grid by 2025, potentially creating a surplus. However, environmentalists and climate activists express strong opposition, warning that this strategy will escalate Zimbabwe's carbon emissions and negatively impact wildlife in areas like Hwange National Park, which is home to endangered species such as the Black Rhino.
Global Context of Energy Transition

The debate over Zimbabwe's energy strategy occurs against a global backdrop where numerous countries are actively seeking to transition away from coal. Reports from bodies like the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change have underscored the critical role of fossil fuels in driving global warming. Despite these international trends and warnings from the UN Secretary-General about the imperative to move away from coal, Zimbabwean officials maintain that coal mining is crucial for local development and job creation, especially given the country's consistent shortfall in meeting peak electricity demand, which often necessitates imports from neighbouring countries.

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What alternative energy source does Zimbabwe have potential for?

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