In the context of climate change, women, gender equality, and energy are vital issues that intersect and impact each other in various ways. In Zimbabwe, women predominantly carry out the daily task of gathering traditional fuels like firewood.

Miles of dirt roads separate rural families in Zimbabwe from essential services, forcing many to walk long hours for basic necessities. This groundbreaking tricycle program is breaking new ground by bridging this gap.

The Hakwata Renewable Energy Project, in partnership with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), established a 200kW solar photovoltaic array, batteries, inverter and metering system to supply 80 homesteads, 14 shops at the business centre, a clinic, and a primary school, benefiting a total of 12 500 people.

Zimbabwe’s energy regulator on Thursday commended the increasing number of Chinese-funded renewable energy projects in the country, saying these have helped stabilize and relieve pressure on the country’s power grid.

IT is fast becoming crucial for farmers to invest in solar-powered systems to generate reliable electricity supplies for irrigation purposes if their intentions to commercialise operations are to succeed. Unreliable or lack of access to the electricity grid is a major obstacle for many Zimbabwean farmers.

Boreholes, water tanks and drip irrigation systems from Norwegian People’s Aid give the women year-round access to clean water and the ability to farm crops regardless of climate change-induced water scarcity. The initiative has also provided a dependable source of food that has helped to improve food security and nutrition.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through the Global Fund last month installed solar systems in over 1 000 clinics, pharmacies, warehouses, cold rooms, laboratories and other health facilities across the country under the ongoing Solar for Health (SH4F) initiative.

REF has embarked on a number of initiatives which include bio-digesters, solar mini-grids and grid electricity. Through this initiative, it has powered schools, business centres, clinics, households and Government sub-offices.The projects are being run under the climate adaptation, water and energy programme in conjunction with development partners