By Savious Madanhire
Biogas a combustible gas produced from the decomposition of organic material, is being promoted as a clean and renewable energy solution in the Midlands province by the Rural Electrification Fund (REF).
According to statistics from December 2024, nine biogas digesters have been built by REF in the Midlands, including two commercial biogas digesters at Mimosa Mine in Zvishavane District and Unki Mine in Shurugwi District.
In an exclusive, REF Biogas Masion (builder) Duncan Tinorwo clarified how the biogas works and what is needed to produce energy.
The biogas digester uses raw materials which include animal dung, poultry droppings, plant waste, sewage, industrial organic waste and domestic waste (vegetables, waste food), to produce methane gas.
Biogas is a combustible gas produced during the decomposition of organic material by bacteria in anaerobic (absence of air) conditions therefore, biogas is composed of about 70% methane, 25% carbon dioxide (CO2), some traces of hydrogen sulphide, and moisture hence it is clean and renewable,” he said.
Furthermore, Tinorwo also highlighted the numerous benefits of using biogas as a source of energy.
“Biogas can be used as a fuel. It is a cheap, renewable source of energy. It burns without smoke so that biogas does not cause pollution. Biogas can be used for cooking and heating through stoves or burners, lighting, and electricity generation (driving a generator which produces electricity) because the biogas plant installation process requires low cost,” he said.
The most important advantages of biogas (production of energy, reduction of the amount of discarded waste, reduction of & pathogens, conversion of waste containing organic matter into high-quality fertilizer, protection of vegetation, soil, and water, increasing productivity in the field of livestock and agriculture),” he added.
Biogas burns rapidly and it is affordable particularly for disadvantaged communities hence reducing deforestation because people will not cut down trees for use as firewood however it also helps in waste management.
Tinorwo went on to explain how REF biogas projects work for institutions and individuals who would want a biogas system at their homesteads.
“REF builds institutional biogas digesters on 100% capital subsidy, just like the case with grid electricity infrastructure where beneficiaries do not pay but are required to provide feeding into the digester if it’s not connected to the sewer system.
With regards to domestic biogas digesters and others outside those mentioned above, prospective beneficiaries can approach REF offices and get free quotations and connect with trained biogas builders,” added Tinorwo.
Meanwhile, REF has trained 206 biogas builders countrywide and is continually training more, to allow villagers who need the technology at their homesteads, farms and villages to get help in local areas.
Biogas builders are trained for free but they charge fees agreed between them and the prospective beneficiary.
