News

Zimbabwe ATMs to go solar

August 14, 2012

In an effort to combat ATM outages caused by frequent power interruptions, Barclays Bank Zimbabwe is investigating the use of solar cells to power its ATMs.

Barclays managing director George Guvamatanga discussed the continuing power problem during the bank's half-year earnings announcement, said an article at News Day.

Guvamatanga said power and water problems were increasing the bank's operating costs, and ultimately increasing consumer costs for banking services.

In the search for a solution, he said, "Barclays has piloted the use of solar energy as an alternative source of power to generators for some ATM … I am confident that in our small way we will be able to play a part in protecting our environment and roll out solar technology to more sites in future." 

According to the News Day report, increased load-shedding is to be expected over the next several months as the Zesa Holdings power utility conducts maintenance on a major power station.

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