Trymore Tagwireyi
In a major stride towards green energy and sustainable development, residents of Ward 1 in Beitbridge West have received a significant boost in electricity access following the commissioning of a 120kW solar power plant under the Presidential Rural Solarisation Project.
Installed at Tshitulipasi Business Centre, the solar plant was officially commissioned by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA). The facility is already supplying power to over 40 households, a clinic, a school, a police station, and several other public institutions—marking a transformative improvement in local energy access.
Ward 1 councillor Enock Ndou described the project as a game-changer for the community.
“This system is a blessing for our people. We are grateful to REA and its partners for implementing a project with such lasting impact. Our youths are now using electricity to launch income-generating projects. Given our proximity to South Africa, this development enables residents to stay and invest locally in ventures such as welding and selling perishable goods that were not possible before,” said Ndou.
The solar installation is part of the broader Presidential Rural Solarisation Project, a flagship government programme targeting the electrification of over 22,000 rural households in Beitbridge over the next six years. The initiative aims to connect at least 3,700 households annually using clean, renewable solar energy.
Local resident Maria Mulaudzi welcomed the development, highlighting its potential to uplift the community economically and socially.
“These solar projects go beyond just providing electricity—they open doors to economic empowerment, improved service delivery, and better living standards. We hope similar initiatives are replicated across Beitbridge, especially given our abundant sunlight,” she said.
Residents in Tshitulipasi and surrounding areas are already experiencing the benefits, citing improved healthcare services, enhanced educational opportunities, and increased support for small-scale businesses.
Beyond local benefits, the initiative also aligns with Zimbabwe’s national climate and energy goals by reducing carbon emissions and accelerating the shift toward renewable energy sources.
Zimbabwe is intensifying its push for a greener future through the National Renewable Energy Policy, launched in 2019 to attract investment in clean energy. The government has set ambitious targets to increase renewable energy capacity to 16.5 percent by 2025 and 26.5 precent by 2030. This is part of broader efforts to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and enhance energy security.
The Beitbridge solar rollout represents a critical step in promoting energy access, independence, and sustainability in off-grid and underserved communities—lighting the path toward a cleaner and more equitable energy future.
