Environmental research

The need for industrial development can not be overemphasised for Zimbabwe as a developing country ,and with this in mind the HERITAGE and Environment organisation saw it necessary to implement energy efficiency measures in 12 selected Small and Medium enterprises and Informal sector enterprises in Harare ranging from Bakeries ,Metal fabrication , Pottery to Soap making so as to increase production or service provision using minimal energy and generation of emissions, effluents and wastes in contrast to traditional industrial practises.Energy efficiency will reduce greenhouse gas emissions which cause global warming and increase production costs for the enterprises. The broad objectives of this project were to assist the selected 12 SMEs and ISEs to utilise energy in an efficient and environmentally friendly manner.By the end of the 15 months project period , the 12 enterprises participating in this project were expected to have : 1. reduced their energy consumption , in both units and costs , per unit of product or service. 2. a functional energy management programme within their activties 3. increased awareness of the negative environmental impacts of inefficient energy usage. 4. improved competitivenesss of products due to reduced production costs 5. in quantitative terms , the project anticipates a reduction of energy usage per unit of service ranging from 10-30% from current consumption pattern 6. there will also be at least 1 person trained in energy efficiency management per enterprise. The activities included selection of enterprises , preliminary energy use assessments, training sessions , detailed energy use assessments , feasibilty analysis , implementing identified energy efficiency measures and project reviews.The enterprise workers supported by the HERITAGE, Zambuko Trust and Empretec Zimbabweand the UNDP-Africa2000 team carried out the activities. The project achieved about 70%of the project objectives.the outcomes were as follows: 1. 1 person from each enterprise received training on energy management and each of the 12 enterprises had an assessment of energy use done on site. 2. 5 of the 8 who received GEF funding had marked reduction in energy use compared with the pre- intervention period. 3. Simple measures such as switching off idle machines and lights are being implemented. 4. The savings that were realised in the 5 enterprises implied a corresponding reduction of input costs , thus ,improved competitivenessof products. 5. The energy savings were as high as 60% in some enterprises. The project participants benefitted the following : 1.training on energy management tehiniques. 2. some savings in energy use and thus reduced production costs.

Zimbabwe