Zimbabwe's Journey Towards Clean Cooking: Overcoming Load Shedding Challenges

Zimbabwe is facing a significant challenge in its pursuit of a sustainable and equitable energy future: load shedding, a term that has become all too familiar to its citizens. This refers to the intentional and scheduled power outages implemented by power utilities to manage demand when supply falls short. While load shedding aims to stabilize the power grid, it has inadvertently created obstacles to adopting clean and sustainable cooking practices across the nation. The impact of these power outages is profound, and as of 2024, Zimbabwe continues to experience prolonged power cuts, with a likely extension into July, with power cuts lasting up to 10 hours in some areas.

The Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) is currently implementing higher levels of load shedding due to planned repairs and low water levels at the Kariba Dam, one of the country's main sources of hydropower. As of early June 2024, the Zambezi River Authority has reported water levels of 12.8%, a significant decrease from 29.1% in early June 2023. The Zambezi River Authority has limited Kariba Power Station's electricity generation to 214 megawatts until the end of June because of low water levels. Hwange Power Station is currently producing 774 megawatts, while Kariba Hydroelectric is producing 300 megawatts, with independent producers contributing 31 megawatts to the national grid. The situation is dire, with a daily deficit of approximately 1,000 megawatts between the country's electricity supply and demand. This deficit hinders not only daily life but also the country's transition to clean cooking.

In this article, I examine the impact of load shedding on Zimbabwe's efforts to adopt cleaner and more sustainable cooking practices. In addition, the article explores how this challenge is affecting households, institutions, commercial restaurants, enterprises and communities. Furthermore, the article will discuss potential solutions that can pave the way for a brighter, healthier future for all Zimbabweans. With the recent momentum from the IEA summit in Paris, which focused on mobilising support for clean cooking initiatives and 2024 being a turning point, now is the time to build on this energy and create lasting change.

Impact of Load Shedding on Clean Cooking

Increased Reliance on Fossil Fuels

As power outages persist, there has been a notable shift towards the use of fossil fuels, such as charcoal and biomass, for cooking. This trend is concerning as the combustion of these fuels contributes to local air pollution and exacerbates environmental challenges on a national scale. During extended power outages, households often turn to these finite resources, perpetuating a cycle that undermines Zimbabwe's transition to clean cooking.

?Limited Viability of Electric Cooking

Electric cooking appliances offer improved efficiency and environmental benefits. However, widespread power outages in Zimbabwe make the consistent use of such appliances impractical. This limits the adoption of clean cooking technologies like induction cooktops and electric pressure cookers, which could significantly reduce the reliance on solid fuels and improve indoor air quality, particularly in enclosed cooking areas.

Economic Challenges and Affordability

Load shedding has far-reaching financial implications, affecting households across the economic spectrum. Prolonged power outages can lead to economic downturns, making it difficult for families, especially those in low-income communities, to afford clean cooking technologies. Solar cooking systems and electric cookstoves often carry higher upfront costs, even though they offer long-term savings and environmental benefits.

Access to Alternative Energy Sources

While some Zimbabwean households have successfully transitioned to alternative energy sources like solar power or biogas systems, many others are left behind. High upfront costs and limited availability, especially in rural areas, create a barrier to adopting cleaner cooking methods. This disparity widens the gap between those with access to modern energy solutions and those who continue to rely on traditional, less sustainable practices.

Deforestation and Indoor Air Pollution

One of the most pressing consequences of load shedding is the increased reliance on firewood for cooking, leading to accelerated deforestation rates. This, in turn, contributes to indoor air pollution, with women and children being the most vulnerable to its harmful effects. Addressing this issue is urgent, as approximately 95% of rural households in Zimbabwe currently cook with firewood.

Initiatives and Strategies Leading the Change

Despite these challenges, there is a glimmer of hope. Various initiatives and strategies are being implemented to support Zimbabwe's transition to clean cooking:

The Zimbabwe government has developed the National Clean Cooking Strategy (2024-2030) to promote sustainable cooking practices and address environmental and health concerns associated with traditional cooking methods.

The Ministry of Energy and Power Development took a significant step forward by holding a multi-stakeholder workshop in April 2024 to validate the Clean Cooking Strategy for Zimbabwe, showcasing a collaborative commitment to tackling this issue.

The fuel mix for clean cooking in Zimbabwe includes electricity (grid and off-grid),Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG),Compressed Natural Gas (CNG),Biogas (from agricultural waste and animal manure),Ethanol (from sugarcane and other biomass),and Solar thermal energy.

The policy targets include:

?? 50% of households using clean cooking fuels and technologies by 2030

?? 75% reduction in biomass use for cooking by 2030

?? 100% access to clean cooking for all by 2050

Zimbabwe's Commitment to Renewable Energy

Zimbabwe is taking significant strides towards a more sustainable energy future through various initiatives:

• National Renewable Energy Policy: The cornerstone of this commitment is the 2019 policy, setting ambitious targets of 16.5% renewable energy generation capacity by 2025 and 26.5% by 2030.
• Renewable Energy Initiative: Further strengthening this commitment, the government partnered with the UN in March 2024 to launch an initiative aimed at accelerating the adoption of renewable energy sources.

Grassroots Initiatives Driving Change:

Beyond national policies, several noteworthy initiatives are making a tangible impact on the ground:

• C-Quest Capital: This impact investment firm is empowering women across Zimbabwe by providing them with access to clean cookstoves, fostering healthier and more sustainable cooking practices.
• Choto Clean Cooking Enterprises: Led by women, this social enterprise is dedicated to reaching the most remote and underserved communities, ensuring that clean cooking solutions are accessible to all, regardless of location.

The Path Forward

To overcome these challenges and accelerate the transition to clean cooking, a holistic approach is imperative:

Improving energy access and reliability: The Zimbabwean government and stakeholders should prioritise investments in grid infrastructure and explore decentralised renewable energy solutions, such as mini-grids and micro-grids, to enhance access to reliable electricity.

Promoting affordable clean cooking technologies: Providing incentives, subsidies, or innovative financing options can make clean cooking solutions more accessible and affordable for vulnerable communities.

Removing barriers to adopting renewable energy sources: Streamlining policies and regulations that support solar, biogas, and other renewable energy sources can increase access to alternative energy for cooking.

Enhancing awareness and education: Educating communities about the benefits of clean cooking and the impact of their energy choices can foster behavioural changes and encourage the adoption of sustainable practices.

Zimbabwe's journey towards clean cooking is filled with both challenges and opportunities. Addressing energy access and reliability issues while promoting affordable and accessible clean cooking technologies, the nation can build a brighter and more sustainable future. This transition will not only improve the health and well-being of its citizens but also contribute to global efforts to combat climate change.