Energy policy launched

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Government has launched the country’s first National Energy Policy (NEP) which seeks to specify measures and strategies that will enable the development of the energy sector amid calls to substantially increase the use of energy from renewable resources.

The policy which is the first of its kind since independence, comes with comprehensive strategies that will facilitate its implementation.

Addressing delegates at the launch, the Deputy Prime Minister Ms Thokozani Khupe said the effective implementation of the policy is critical and will see the revival of the country’s economy as well as boost exports.

She said all players in the energy sector should strive for the effective implementation of the policy which is intended to give investors, consumers and planners a clear sense of direction and confidence in the country’s energy future.

The Minister of Energy and Power Development, Mr Elton Mangoma said the development of the NEP has been framed around the need to enable the people of Zimbabwe to have access to modern energy sources by 2014.

The goal of the policy is to provide a framework for the exploitation, distribution and utilisation of renewable energy resources.

It is also aimed at increasing the access of all sectors of the economy to affordable energy services through the optimal use of available resources as well as developing the use of other renewable sources of energy to compliment the conventional ones.