Zimbabwe hosts CORE training to advance mini-grid expertise

From 24 to 29 November 2024, the ZESA National Training Centre hosted a transformative training session under the Alliance for Rural Electrification‘s Cornerstone of Rural Electrification (CORE) Initiative in Harare, Zimbabwe. Organised in collaboration with the Renewable Energy Association of Zimbabwe (REAZ) and sponsored by UNESCO, the training brought together 34 participants to advance skills in mini-grid systems.

The training covered a wide array of topics crucial to rural electrification, including mini-grid technical system design, procurement, installation, operation and maintenance (O&M), monitoring, safety standards, and the productive use of energy. Local mini-grid examples, such as the 200-kW Hakwata solar mini-grid in Chipinge District, provided practical context for participants. Attendees also toured the ZESA Training Centre’s mini-grid, a Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Fund collaboration with Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Energy and Power Development.

Interactive sessions, quizzes, and discussions enabled participants to share their experiences and refine their skills. Most attendees, who already had some exposure to mini-grid systems through prior training or on-the-job experience, expressed a strong commitment to becoming trainers themselves. Post-training assessments revealed that participants aim to train an average of 30 individuals annually, focusing on youth from tertiary institutions, local communities, SMEs, and vocational training centres. The private sector representatives pledged to enhance capacity within their companies.

Participants praised the training’s relevance and quality but suggested future sessions incorporate design software such as PVsyst and HOMER to further enhance technical capabilities. The initiative aligns with broader goals to combat youth unemployment and expand energy access in rural areas, leveraging universities and local institutions to build a robust renewable energy workforce.

This programme marks a significant step toward advancing rural electrification in Zimbabwe, with participants poised to drive decentralised renewable energy solutions across the country.