Zimbabwe's Ministry of Energy and Power Development is working on a renewable energy policy to overcome some of the challenges besetting the energy and power sector, official newspaper The Herald reported on Monday.

Renewable sources of energy include hydro-electricity, solar, biogas, wind and coal bitumen, the report said.

The ministry's director of Power Development Munyaradzi Munodawafa was quoted as saying that the government had engaged a local consultant to study the energy sources that are available in the country after which a comprehensive energy policy would be drafted.

The use of alternative sources of energy has been suggested at many forums as the country is facing power shortages with power utility Zesa Holdings currently weighed down by a 600 megawatt deficit.

Zimbabwe's neighbors, particularly South Africa, are also facing supply constraints due to a surge in demand.

The government of Zimbabwe is working tirelessly to address power shortages by embarking on joint venture projects with friendly countries such as China, the minister said.

Meanwhile, Zesa Holdings is set to undertake the 600 million-U. S.-dollar coal mining project and setting up a thermal power station in Sinamatella, to the west of Hwange, with China National Aero-Tech Import and Export Corporation (CATIC) of China.

Source: Xinhua