HWANGE residents have hailed the proposed 100 megawatt (MW) solar power project being facilitated by the Oneputt Power Company in partnership with a Chinese company in the coal-mining district, amid hope for a reduction in pollution and fumes bedevilling the area.
Indications were that there are two projects proposed for Hwange, a 100MW one sitting on 286 hectares, which is earmarked for Makwika village along 3 main north, which is a partnership between Oneputt Power Company and Zhong Jian, and the heat recovery coke and gas station to sit on 68 hectares, to generate 240MW, also near Makwika.
Greater Whange Residents Trust (GWRT) board member Fiduus Ncube said any initiative that sought to promote the use of non-fossil fuels in the generation of electricity was a welcome development in Hwange.
“It is our hope as residents that the move to transition to renewable energy by Oneputt Power Company, through its proposed 100MW solar power plant, carbon project, will go a long way in reducing the unbearable pollution levels bedevilling Hwange,” Ncube said.
“We further hope that many players will emulate this initiative to promote sustainable energy solutions in Hwange. As the carbon projects are implemented, we expect the companies involved to roll out massive awareness programmes, which will assist companies and residents to jointly identify potential challenges and solutions.”
Ncube said as renewable energy projects were implemented, Hwange residents looked forward to healthier communities that had access to clean air, reduced carbon emissions, reduced energy costs and a little bit more job creation for youth.
“Let me hasten to say that as residents we fear that when such projects come, they need more land, imagine a 100MW taking 286 hectares, this leads to destabilisation of fauna and flora. In communal areas, grazing land for livestock can be reduced; in some cases, we have seen conflicts arising as a result of forced displacement to make way for such projects,” he said.
“Registration costs for carbon credit projects must be within reach for local players and the effort by individual players at the local level must be acknowledged and encouraged.”
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Ncube said residents also expected to see more corporate social responsibility projects carried out by investors in carbon projects.
He said they expected improved infrastructure development in affected areas, such as an improved road network for Makwika village, adding that the roads were in a sorry state.
The heat recovery project will be done by Zhong An (Pvt) Ltd in partnership with Zhong Jian.
Ncube said he had reservations about the project because he was not sure how it was going to effectively mitigate the effects of climate change, as fossil fuels would still be in use.
GWRT coordinator Fidelis Chima said they raised their fears and expectations with the consultants vis-à-vis project implementation from social, economic and environmental perspectives.
He said another gas recovery project to generate power was also discussed and was expected to produce 240MW, adding that gases produced from coke ovens were turned into heat for the generation of electricity.
“While these efforts appear to be noble, as they are a response to climate change, they seek to mitigate greenhouse emissions. These Chinese guys know how to strike the vein that has money. They are determined to make money through carbon credits. It's a way of making money,” Chima said.
