GOVERNMENT will soon rollout a programme to install solar power at all the country’s airports as part of efforts to reduce pressure on the national grid and also to ensure continued power supply in the face of decreased generation.

Zimbabwe is grappling with subdued power generation largely due to decreased water levels in Kariba dam as well as the failure of thermal power stations to perform at optimum level due to their old state.

As a result, Zimbabwe has been importing up to 400MW from South African power utility Eskom since August when Government sealed a deal to pay off Zesa’s Eskom debt.

Hydro Cahora Bassa of Mozambique has also been supplying Zimbabwe with 50MW but Government is negotiating to have this increased to 400MW so as to reduce on the current load-shedding and breath life in local industry which has come worse off due to the power crunch.

In an interview, Energy and Power Development Minister Advocate Fortune Chasi, said airports are a key infrastructure whose power supply should always be guaranteed and this can only be done through solar.

Minister Chasi also said the move was in line with Government strategy to reduce pressure on the national grid and encouraging users to be energy generators as opposed to waiting for the grid and thus minimising foreign currency being used for power imports.

“The basic idea is that airports are a key national installation and we have to have a situation where there is assurance that there won’t be any power outage there,” said Minister Chasi.