Biogas is a biofuel naturally produced from the decomposition of organic matter [1].

The gas is
primarily made up of Methane, Carbon Monoxide, Carbon Dioxide and may have small amounts
of Hydrogen Sulphide, moisture and Siloxanes[2]. Biogas can be combusted allowing its use as a
fuel for any heating purposes such as cooking. It can also be used in anaerobic digesters in a gas
engine to convert the energy in the gas into electricity and heat [3]. Like Natural Gas, Biogas can
also be compressed and used to power motor vehicles [4]–[6]. The anaerobic digestion process
leaves a nutrient-rich digestate that can be used as fertilizer [2].

At least 2 000 Biogas digesters have been installed throughout Zimbabwe as rural communities
embrace new alternative and cleaner renewable energy solutions [7]. The Zimbabwe Power
Company (ZPC) is failing to meet local domestic power demand [8]. For that reason, there is
need to look to Independent Power Producers (IPPs) to ensure a steady and reliable power supply
for home, school and hospital use. Table below gives a brief SWOT analysis on Biogas
production in Zimbabwe as a profit venture.

Strengths Weaknesses

 Technology is proven and well  Policy framework on IPPs is still weak

known. There is a global support
system to help with troubleshooting.
 It is a Green Technology with low
Greenhouse emissions. Carbon
Dioxide produced is less than Carbon
Dioxide absorbed during growth of
microbes [9].
 The by-products from Biogas
production can be sold separately as
fertilizer [2].
 The raw material (waste) is almost for
free and it never runs out [4]. Wind
and Solar are intermittent power
sources [10]. The sun is not always
shining, and the wind does not blow
all the time.
Opportunities
 Growing energy demand in Zimbabwe
with ZPC currently failing to meet
domestic demand.
 The Rural Electrification Agency
(REA) is failing to meet its mandate
[13].
 Lack of knowledge and experience by
rural communities on production and
use of Biogas. A lot of finances will
have to be poured into intensive
training of potential clients [13].
 Limited funding for small scale
projects.
Threats
 Competition from other sources of
power. Coal is cheaper and more
reliable than Biogas [10], [14]. Works
are being done to produce cleaner
Coal and it may be difficult for Biogas
to compete [10], [15].
 High investment cost for large scale
production.
 Higher attention is being channeled to
other renewable energies like Hydro
Power Generation [16]–[18].
 Subsidies are only given for electricity
and not heat.
 of power provision to rural areas[11],
[12]. This leaves a gap and an
opportunity for IPPs.
 Job creation for rural communities.
 Support from International
Community in promotion of Green
Technology.
 The process is still being developed
and optimized. Through Research and
Development, there is an opportunity
to bring out innovative ways of
optimizing the process.

Biogas provides a renewable source of energy that is environmentally friendly. The project is
likely to receive a warm welcome and support from international investors promoting Green
Technology. However, such projects are mainly for rural communities. Economically, the
venture may not be a profitable one since most Zimbabwean rural communities live on less than
$1.9 per day [19]–[21]. Zimbabwean by-laws are also archaic and impede business growth [22].
Policies regarding power generation and energy distribution are stringent in an attempt to keep
the ZPC in a monopolistic position.
Based on the above analysis, it is not advisable to venture into Biogas production as an
entrepreneur.

References
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[2] “WHAT IS BIOGAS.” [Online]. Available: https://www.bio2watt.com/what-is-biogas.html.
[Accessed: 08-Nov-2018].
[3] “Biogas: Meaning, Uses and Its Production,” Biology Discussion, 16-Sep-2016. [Online].
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