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Zimbabwe to ban electric water heaters to save power | Zimbabwe to ban electric water heaters to save power |
(34 minutes later) | |
Zimbabwe is to ban the use of electric water heaters and require all newly built properties to use solar power, as it tries to tackle big power shortages. | Zimbabwe is to ban the use of electric water heaters and require all newly built properties to use solar power, as it tries to tackle big power shortages. |
Energy officials say existing electric heaters - or geysers - will be phased out over the next five years. | Energy officials say existing electric heaters - or geysers - will be phased out over the next five years. |
They hope to save up to 400 megawatts of electricity - equivalent to the output of an electrical power plant. | They hope to save up to 400 megawatts of electricity - equivalent to the output of an electrical power plant. |
Blackouts have dogged Zimbabwe, despite the fact that 60% of the population have no access to electricity. | Blackouts have dogged Zimbabwe, despite the fact that 60% of the population have no access to electricity. |
This has also hampered investment in what is an already fragile economy, the BBC's Karen Allen reports. | This has also hampered investment in what is an already fragile economy, the BBC's Karen Allen reports. |
Officials from the state-owned Zimbabwe Electricity Distribution and Transmission Company say the government is expected to publish new regulations by the end of the year. | Officials from the state-owned Zimbabwe Electricity Distribution and Transmission Company say the government is expected to publish new regulations by the end of the year. |
It is estimated that there are up to 300,000 geysers across the country, with water heating accounting for some 40% of households' electricity bills. | It is estimated that there are up to 300,000 geysers across the country, with water heating accounting for some 40% of households' electricity bills. |
"The country may achieve a power saving in the range of 300 megawatts to 400 megawatts, which in itself is a virtual power plant," Energy Minister Samuel Undenge was quoted as saying by Reuters. | "The country may achieve a power saving in the range of 300 megawatts to 400 megawatts, which in itself is a virtual power plant," Energy Minister Samuel Undenge was quoted as saying by Reuters. |
"Solar water heaters (will) become mandatory at every new house before connection to the grid," he added. | "Solar water heaters (will) become mandatory at every new house before connection to the grid," he added. |
Zimbabwe's power generation is currently less than 50% of its peak demand, forcing local businesses to use costly generators. | Zimbabwe's power generation is currently less than 50% of its peak demand, forcing local businesses to use costly generators. |
The government has blamed the shortages on low water levels at the Kariba Dam, bordering Zambia, which generates hydroelectric power, the BBC's southern Africa correspondent Karen Allen reports from Johannesburg. | The government has blamed the shortages on low water levels at the Kariba Dam, bordering Zambia, which generates hydroelectric power, the BBC's southern Africa correspondent Karen Allen reports from Johannesburg. |
But officials also concede that a massive lack of investment in the energy sector over the decades is now taking its toll. | But officials also concede that a massive lack of investment in the energy sector over the decades is now taking its toll. |
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