eBusiness Weekly
Oliver Kazunga
Senior Business Reporter
THE US$1,4 billion Hwange Thermal Power Station expansion project closed the second quarter at 89,95 percent completion and recovery efforts after the negative impact of the Covid-19 pandemic are being implemented to finish the investment.
The power plant’s expansion project entails the addition of Units 7 and 8 with each unit expected to generate 300MW.
In an update for the quarter ended June 30, 2022, the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) said: “The Hwange expansion project was at 84,82 percent at the beginning of the quarter under review, and ended the quarter at 89,95 percent.
“Although the project schedule had been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, recovery efforts are now being implemented to complete the project in the shortest possible time.”
Expansion works at Hwange began in August 2018.
ZPC and Exim Bank of India have signed a contract for the upgrade of the Deka pumping station and construction of a 42-kilometre pipeline and an Indian consortium won the tender.
Last month, truckloads of massive consignment of pipes and key equipment worth US$48,1 million for the Deka project were delivered in Hwange as the Government races to ensure the March 2023 implementation timelines are met.
Meanwhile, in the period under review, ZPC sent out 2300,31GWh thereby marginally surpassing the quarterly target which was set at 2292,31GWh by 0,35 percent.
“Kariba Power Station contributed 72 percent of the total energy production in the period under review, Hwange Power Station contributed 27 percent while the small thermals only contributed 1 percent to the total energy production during the quarter.
“All eight units at Kariba were available for peak generation during the quarter and due to increased generation, the station surpassed its quarterly target by 14,17 percent,” said ZPC.
The output for the quarter was 6,39 percent above the output in the second quarter in 2021. This is attributed to increased water allocation from 15Bm3 last year to 22,5Bm3 in 2022.
“From January to date, ZPC has sent out 4469,08GWh thereby surpassing the target for the period set at 4177,60GWh by 6,98 percent.
“This represents 49 percent of the annual target set at 9 111GWh,” said ZPC.
