TAG: GS 3: ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT
THE CONTEXT: Recently, Zimbabwe announced that it will construct its first utility-scale geothermal energy Independent Power Producer (IPP) and support the reduction of greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions in the country, of which the energy sector is the highest contributor.
Project Origins and Climate Fund Support
- The endeavor emerges from the Green Resilient Recovery Rapid Readiness (GRRRR) and Geothermal Energy Development Project in Zimbabwe.
- This initiative, identified under the Green Climate Fund, aims to reduce the country’s reliance on fossil fuels and address the highest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, primarily from the energy sector.
Current Energy Scenario and Climate Challenges
- Zimbabwe’s energy makeup in 2021 comprised 71% from renewable sources, with hydropower dominating at 69%.
- However, climate change-induced factors like increased droughts and erratic rainfall have impacted hydropower levels, leading to severe load shedding and heightened dependence on imported electricity and fossil fuels.
Geothermal Project Details
- The geothermal project entails the establishment of a 10MW geothermal power plant in the Chimbwatata Hot Springs, Binga District.
- The chosen binary cycle geothermal technology harnesses electricity and waste heat, offering an additional revenue stream.
Integration and Transmission
- The generated electricity will be integrated into the existing energy grid via Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) transmission lines.
Climate Change Sensitivity and Hydropower Challenges
- Despite Zimbabwe’s minor global contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, it ranks among the top 10 nations most affected by climate change.
- The nation’s heavy reliance on hydropower, especially from the Kariba South hydroelectric power plant, faces a crisis due to plummeting water levels in Lake Kariba, exacerbating power shortages and affecting neighboring Zambia.
Geothermal as a Viable Alternative
- The initiative highlights the significance of diversifying the energy mix to mitigate climate-induced vulnerabilities.
- Geothermal power emerges as a promising alternative, offering reliability amidst climate-induced uncertainties impacting hydropower.
Challenges and Exploration of Other Renewable Sources
- While geothermal energy represents a significant step, Zimbabwe has untapped potential in various renewables like solar, wind, and biofuels.
- However, challenges such as financial constraints and reluctance in venturing into solar energy, despite its substantial potential, persist due to limitations in meeting diverse energy demands.
Future Prospects and Energy Dynamics
- Efforts to expand renewable energy, including geothermal exploration, are crucial to Zimbabwe’s energy landscape.
- Collaboration through joint ventures or international investments becomes imperative for implementing large-scale projects beyond the utility’s financial capabilities.
Conclusion
- Zimbabwe’s foray into geothermal power marks a pivotal shift in energy strategy, aiming to bolster energy security, mitigate climate risks, and diversify the energy portfolio for sustainable development.
- The exploration of alternative renewable sources aligns with the nation’s quest for energy resilience amid climate-induced challenges.
GREEN CLIMATE FUND (GCF) :
- The Green Climate Fund (GCF) was adopted by 194 governments as a financial mechanism of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
- Its goal is to limit or reduce greenhouse gas emissions in developing countries and help adapt vulnerable societies to the already-felt impacts of climate change.
- It aims to make an ambitious contribution to attaining the mitigation and adaptation goals of the international community with the goal of keeping the temperature increase of the planet below 2 degrees Celsius.
- The Fund aims to support a paradigm shift in the global response to climate change.
- It allocates its resources to low-emission and climate-resilient projects and programmes in developing countries.
- It is designed as an operating entity of the Convention’s financial mechanism and is headquartered in the Republic of Korea.
- It is governed by a 24 Board member Board, representing countries, and receives guidance from the Conference of the Parties to the Convention (COP).