REA solar projects take off in Mat North

The Rural Electrification Agency says that its drive to power rural areas through alternate sources if on course with Matabeleland North targets completed.

“All the rural provinces have one community solar project and for Matabeleland North Bemba was the one which was a pilot project for REA. Under Matabeleland North we were given three institutional ones which were Kokoloza (in Lupane), Chunga and Siabuwa (in Binga). So actually, we can say in terms of solar implementation under the rural electrification provisions Matabeleland North for 2023 we are 100 percent,” REA Matabeleland North manager Engineer Vincent Sande told Chronicle at the just ended Zimbabwe International Trade Fair.

REA spokesperson Mr Johannes Nyamayedenga said the agency is working on such initiatives in all rural areas.

We are rolling it out across the rural provinces. We have two categories of solar systems, we have what we call the institutional solar plants and the community solar plant. The Bemba one was a community solar plant and pilot project,” said Mr Nyamayedenga.

He said the connected households and institutions pay for the utility and are enjoying uninterrupted supply.

“Communities are benefitting without interruptions, the business centre, primary schools, community garden and there is also a rural health centre.”

He said the solar plant is impacting on the whole community in a big way as it has enabled establishment of irrigated agricultural production and access to health and education have improved.