A Study of the Current State of Biogas Production in Zimbabwe: Lessons for Southern Africa

Résumé

This study sought to establish the current state of biogas production in Zimbabwe.The study established the number, size of biogas plants, type of biogas plants, the donors/funders involved in biogas technology, how the biogas and digestate is being utilized and the challenges faced in the running of the plants.The study was carried out using questionnaires administered to Ministry of Energy and Power Development Rural Electrification Agency (REA) Head Office, REA Provincial Offices and to biogas users (plant owners).Results from the investigation revealed that there were around 711 biogas plants in the country in 2017.These include 650 household plants, 48 institutional plants and 13 municipal plants.Around 90% of the plants owners were using cow dung as the substrate, 8% were using sewage, 1% was using pig manure and 1% codigested jatropha seed cake and cow dung.Multiple partners were involved in biogas plant construction, which included the government, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), local authorities and individuals.The study revealed that about 56% of the plants were constructed by the government and NGOs, 24% by the government, NGOs and individuals, 11% were constructed by individuals alone, 7% were constructed by the government alone and 2% by local authorities and NGOs.Around 97% of biogas plant holders were using biogas for cooking, 1% for lighting, 1% for space heating in pig and poultry farming and 1% were not using the biogas.The study concluded that biogas technology has been adopted in Zimbabwe as an alternative energy source; however, the technology is still in its infancy.To improve adoption rate of the technology, there is need for education and communication on the benefits associated with this technology.The use of low-cost prefabricated digesters, setting up appropriate policy and institutional frameworks and provision of loans could also facilitate uptake of biogas technology and help reduce energy poverty in the country.

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