HARARE: Mobility Energy, a local renewable energy private company has partnered with a local bank to electrify commercial, industrial, Government and residential properties in the country with solar energy systems on a lease facility basis.
While a deal has at this point been concluded with only a single financial institution, it is understood that a number banks have shown interest to participate. The initiative seeks to use Zimbabwe as a launch pad into the African continent. But the initiative will first and mostly benefit Zimbabwe after Government revealed plans to ban electrical geysers to conserve the little available power.
Recently Energy and Power Development Minister Samuel Undenge launched the national solar water heating programme to retrofit about 214 000 water heaters. The programme will be rolled out together with the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing.
Zimbabwe is facing serious shortage of electricity, with demand of 2 000MW at peak periods against generation capacity of just about 900MW after Kariba scaled down production on lower water rationing to control receding lake water levels.
As such, solar systems, products and services that reduce demand pressure on conventional power would be welcome by industry, commerce and households in Zimbabwe. The approach is all encompassing, catering for energy needs from 500 watts to a maximum of 20 megawatts.
The solution seeks to offer solar water heating, solar home and industrial systems, solar water pumping, solar perimeter lighting, solar and diesel hybrid systems for mines, industry and commerce. Mobility managing director Mr Humphrey Munzvenga said clients should first meet certain conditions. “All the above will be done subject to applicants meeting the desired credit facility requirements stipulated by the financial partners. “My view is that this is a ground breaking offering for Zimbabwe considering the current power shortages, the high initial cost of solar power solutions economic situation,” said Mr Munzvengwa.
Mobility Energy has already started working on setting up a solar water heating manufacturing plant in Harare in order to create employment and further reduce the costs of the products. The plant should be operational in the second quarter of next year.
To maintain world class quality standards and to mitigate risk Mobility Energy has engaged TÜV Rheinland of Germany and a leading insurance company to offer technical expertise to the partnership. The partnership seeks to replicate what has been achieved in Europe and Asia with regards to installation of solar rooftop and farms to power communities, industry and commerce.
The solar power is cheaper than the conventional power sources. No initial capital outlay will be required from consumers as this will be funded through a lease facility. TÜV Rheinland and the insurer will provide quality, system performance review, measurement and insurance products respectively.
This provides a one stop solution to customers by mitigating major risks and provides required comfort. Mobility Energy has structured partnerships with local and international engineering, procurement and construction partners to provide integrated sales, designs, installation, monitoring and efficiency services under a single roof. Mobility Energy deals directly with international manufacturers making the prices of the solar products affordable to industrial, commercial and domestic users.
Some of the company’s local partners include Satewave, Solar Shack and De Green Rhino and global partners include Powering Africa, Solar Ray, NASDAQ listed JA Solar and Sungrow, listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange. Mobility Energy said its vision is that: “By 2020 every Zimbabwean must have access to affordable and clean energy.”
