Mutashu calls for fund for small businesses to acq...

Mutashu calls for fund for small businesses to acquire solar equipment

Small businesses and individuals have been using diesel generators which are expensive whereas solar would be a cheaper option

Zim Now Writer

Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers president Denford Mutashu says small businesses and households currently relying on generators to mitigate power outages should invest in solar energy as a long-term measure.

This comes as Zimbabwe is experiencing one of its worst power crises in years, with citizens going for close to 20 hours daily without power.

Mutashu said that people must realise that the power challenges are not affecting Zimbabwe alone but the whole southern Africa region.

“We need to adapt very quickly and move to solar to power our businesses, especially the small traders in their numerous numbers and households,” he said.

Mutashu also called on government to set up a facility to assist businesses to acquire solar equipment, in the process moving away from the national grid.

The fund, Mutashu said, could assist small businesses in particular, who may not have the capital to immediately acquire solar equipment.

“We request government to come up with a facility that can be accessible by small to medium enterprises so that they can borrow and acquire the alternatives as soon as possible,” he said.

In addition to reducing demand for power on the national grid, migrating to solar would also save the country much needed foreign currency in importing electricity, Mutashu explained.

“So, it is a reality check, every business must be prepared for such an eventuality and ensure that they limit their losses by investing in alternatives like solar,” he said.