GOVERNMENT says the provision of sustainable energy is key to socio-economic development.
This came out during the launch of a biogas project at Ruya Adventist High School in Mt Darwin.
The biogas digester at one of the 82 rural institutional facilities established by the Rural Electrification Fund countrywide is expected to ease cooking and lighting challenges at the school and surrounding community.
Speaking during the launch of the project, the Minister of Energy and Power Development, Honourable Zhemu Soda said while treasury has allocated 70 million Zimbabwe dollars towards rural electrification, it is imperative for institutions to cascade the initiative to a household level.

“Provision of biogas will no doubt bring numerous benefits to the institutions and the surrounding communities. Embrace the new technologies and I would like to urge schools, clinics other government institutions, rural households and farms to take advantage of the Rural Electrification program and raise their standard of living through maximum use of raw waste,” he said.
Rural Electrification Fund Board Member, Engineer Patridge Ndemera said the target for universal access to energy by 2030 is achievable.
“While the Rural Electrification Fund has made significant strides in extending electricity grid infrastructure to rural areas, a lot more needs to be done with regards to development and dissemination of renewable energy technologies for rural communities in Zimbabwe,” he said.
Other stakeholders also noted the need to shift towards the use of sustainable and environmentally friendly sources of power.
“Schools have shown that they can lead the way through innovation, therefore the community should tap into this for the attainment of the national goals…..……renewable energy is an enabler of economic enterprise, it one cheap and safe means of energy use,” they said.
The Rural Electrification Fund has electrified a total of 9 507 rural Institutions countrywide using both grid and solar technology.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa launched the National Energy Renewable Energy Policy in March this year, outlining the development of renewable and clean energy solutions.