Last year the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) invited bids from interested contractors to carry out feasibility studies on three potential sites for wind farms; however, prices quoted by the bidders far exceeded the estimated high level budget. Feasibility studies carried out on three sites with the highest energy potential indicate that wind energy would be far more expensive to develop, exceeding the allocated budget. The purpose of the studies was to establish an accurate knowledge base of the wind resource available in Zimbabwe through measurement and analysis to help the country plan for renewable energy projects. The data and information generated is expected to be used in designing large-scale wind power projects, off-grid or mini-grid electric plants, use for water pumping and climate research. The wind assessment programme was stimulated by a study conducted by the International Renewable Energy Agency in 2015 through the Africa Clean Energy Corridor Programme, which identified solar photovoltaics, concentrating solar power and wind energy zones covering countries in the power pools of Eastern and Southern Africa.

Source: The North Africa Journal April 19, 2018 07:41 UTC