Made in Germany 'renewables' exhibition for Harare
By Patrick Musira in HARARE : The Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, in conjunction with the British Council and the Zimbabwe German Society, will be hosting a month-long exhibition on renewable resources.
The exhibition, is launched at the University of Zimbabwe, will be showcased at four different universities – University of Zimbabwe (January 24 – 28), Bindura University of Science Education (January 31 – February 4), Chinhoyi University of Technology (February 7 – 11) and National University of Science and Technology from February 14 to 18..
The host universities will also be organising plenary sessions on renewable resources
and opportunities in Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe’s ministers of Energy and Power Development, Elton Mangoma and Francis Nhema of Environment and Natural Resources Management, will attend the exhibition.
Dr Albrecht Conze, the German Ambassador to Zimbabwe, stressed the importance of renewable sources of energy: “Expanding renewable energy use is unavoidable if we want to preserve our planet for future generations. International co-operation is needed to meet the challenge and build up markets. Africa’s potential in this respect is huge, and we are ready to co-operate with our partners on this continent.”
Over the past years, Germany has invested heavily in the development of renewable energy and is now an international front runner. It is currently occupying second place worldwide in both the wind power sector with more than 24,000 MW of installed capacity, and the solar power market with 1 650 MW of peak capacity installed in 2008.
At the end of 2008, renewable energy stood for 15 % of power generation in Germany, and for 7.4 % of heat provision. Renewable energy sources are expected to meet 50 % of primary energy demand by 2050.
The British Council has been involved in climate change work since 2009 through various initiatives targeting the media, various committees of the Zimbabwean parliament, and schools countrywide.
Jill Coates, director of the British Council, said: “In response to one of the most pressing issues of our time – climate change – we need to focus on solutions that expand human potential while enlarging human freedom. Responses need to be about people developing capabilities which empower them to make choices and to lead lives they value. Through such initiatives, individuals, communities, organisations, and ultimately countries, are being challenged to become more innovative in how to safeguard the resources that we have whilst still ensuring equitable access to technological advances.”
