Dozens of rusting colonial-era windmills in the Ntabazinduna area in Matabeleland North stand as a silent reminder of a past when wind power helped provide water for households and livestock. Now, experts say these forgotten structures could play a key role in tackling water shortages and climate change in drought-prone areas. The windmills, most of which were installed during the colonial period to pump water from underground boreholes, have largely fallen into disrepair.
But there is growing interest in restoring them as well as integrating them with modern solar and wind technology to sustainably supply water and possibly even electricity. Edington Mazambani, the Chief Executive Officer of the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA), confirmed that wind energy is gaining attention in Zimbabwe as part of the country’s broader shift towards renewable energy sources. “We used to see a lot of windmills in farms.
If they can be resuscitated that will be an efficient way of using energy, as it will be drawing from god-given wind to pump water into reservoirs,” he said. “This can be used for irrigation purposes and in cattle ranching,” said Mazambani in an interview with CITE. Mazambani said there are already ongoing feasibility studies in various parts of the country, including a promising project in Mutorashanga with potential investment of up to US$100 million.
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“We have been working closely with a private company and Spanish partners on that project and the results are very encouraging,” he revealed. “There is also a study in Mhondoro being done by the Ministry of Energy with support from international partners. Even in areas like Somabhula in the Midlands province, there is potential for wind energy.” He added that due to technological improvements, even areas with moderate wind speeds can now be viable for wind turbines. “Previously, we needed wind speeds of more than 7 metres per second but now, with better technology, slower wind speeds can also generate electricity.”
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