ZERA conducts countrywide net metering workshops

Text by Martin Chemhere

As “net metering” and “energy efficiency” increasingly become buzz words in Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) is ensuring that the entire nation is aware of the value of power conservation and sustainability.

The agency is doing this through a countrywide stakeholder awareness campaign that commenced in March and has reached Beitbridge, Bulawayo, Gweru, Masvingo and Mutare.

The campaign is being conducted primarily to inform and educate electricity users about the benefits derived from net metering to manage the country’s power supply disparity.

As a new energy efficiency technology, net metering enables accurate billing through the crediting of solar energy system owners for the total amount of electric power they add to the national grid.

Zimbabwe is currently experiencing electricity challenges, and to sustainably manage the situation, it has to deploy some of the best electricity management technologies available.

ZERA’s campaign will go a long way to bring solidity to Zimbabwe’s energy industry and the economy at large. Guaranteeing reliable energy supplies throughout the year and throughout the country is the agency’s priority.

The effectiveness of net metering is already being felt in the current generation of six megawatts being directed into the national grid. Generation of a further 8 megawatts is expected as several applications from across the spectrum of Zimbabwe are reportedly in the processing stage for approval in the short term. ZERA anticipates the national grid to soon be absorbing more than 20 megawatts through net-metering.

Efforts to move Zimbabwe to energy efficiency status are being complemented by the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission Distribution Company (ZETDC), through a promotion where electricity users are receiving net meters free of charge. Though cost has been cited as a major factor in the roll out of the net metering technology, the current national campaign gives hope to the nation.