Zimbabwe is the only African country to submit its 2035 climate plan on time, highlighting a need for immediate coal use and gas transition due to energy crises. The plan aims for a 40% per capita emissions reduction by 2035 but faces funding and infrastructural limitations in expanding renewable energy. The government emphasizes reliance on coal due to current challenges while aspiring for a cleaner energy future.
Zimbabwe has submitted its 2035 climate plan, officially known as the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC), making it the only African nation to meet the UN’s February 10 deadline. This plan aims to address the critical balance between immediate energy needs and long-term climate commitments amidst economic challenges that necessitate continued coal dependence.
The plan notably acknowledges the pressing energy crisis triggered by severe droughts impacting hydropower production. Consequently, Zimbabwe intends to refurbish the Hwange coal power station and construct an additional 720 MW coal plant to meet urgent electricity demands.
In the medium term, Zimbabwe plans to transition to natural gas, which can serve as a cleaner alternative to coal while improving energy reliability. This shift aims to lower carbon intensity without sacrificing energy security and supply reliability for its populace.
Furthermore, the country seeks to integrate renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power into its energy mix. However, growth in these sectors is hampered by limited funding and infrastructural challenges, highlighted by the affected performance of the Kariba hydro plant, currently operating below capacity due to drought.
Zimbabwe’s ultimate goal is to achieve a 40% reduction in per capita emissions by 2035 relative to a business-as-usual scenario, with a predicted peak in energy sector emissions by 2026, then subsequent decline. The plan represents a pragmatic response to the necessity of a reliable electricity supply as it endeavors to address climate change realistically.
Calls for a rapid green transition from the global community must be met with financial support, highlighting Zimbabwe’s economic constraints. While the nation emphasizes a commitment to cleaner energy, the current periodic blackouts underscore the need for coal reliance in the short term, leading to sentiments against rapid abandonment of coal-generated energy.
Zimbabwe’s 2035 climate plan reflects the difficult balance between immediate energy security through coal reliance and the long-term goal of reducing emissions. The proposed transition to gas and expanded renewable projects illustrate a step toward cleaner energy, albeit constrained by economic challenges. The success of this plan will depend on external support for a faster green transition while addressing urgent energy needs.
Original Source: www.techzim.co.zw
