eBusiness Weekly
Martin Kadzere
Zesa Holdings, the state-owned power utility is set to bring back unit one at the Hwange Power Plant while negotiations for import deals with Mozambique and Zambia are being finalised, Energy and Power Development Minister Zhemu Soda has said.
This would help mitigate power shortages during the winter season resulting from higher than normal demand.
Zesa produces nearly 100 percent of Zimbabwe’s electricity needs and import more to the narrow deficit.
Minister Soda said Zesa was bringing back unit one at Hwange, which will result in the plant producing 100 more megawatts. The generator broke down in February last year in a fire accident.
The minister said Zesa was also finalizing power deals with regional utilities, Electricidade de Moçambique and ZESCO of Zambia.
“One damaged unit at Hwange will be commissioned very soon at it will add 100 more MW onto the national grid,” said Minister Soda in an interview.
“With regards to imports, we have been offered additional capacity by Mozambique and Zambia (and) Zesa is finalizing the contracts. This is our response to winter demand.”
Zimbabwe is already facing power cuts, also known as load shedding, sometimes lasting for more than eight hours per day due to subdued electricity production and a shortage of foreign currency to import.
Zimbabwe now needs between 2 2 500 and 3 000 MW but generates an average of 1 100 MW from its two major power plants and imports more from South Africa, Zambia, and Mozambique to narrow the deficit.
Zimbabwe contracted China’s Sino Hydro to build two more units, also known as 7 and 8, a project expected to significantly improve the country’s power situation.
“We are expecting to have the first (new) unit in November and the other three momonthsater,” said Soda.
Minister Soda also reassured farmers that they would be “enough” power during winter.
“In terms of winter cropping, usually a concern for farmers, we will be setting aside power for the farmers to take care of the winter crop. We have put farmers in clusters and connected them on dedicated lines to ensure uninterrupted supplies.”
Analysts have since warned with new investments trickling into the productive sectors of the economy such as mining and manufacturing, there would be a huge demand for power in the short to medium term.
They say the country needs to invest more in the energy sector to avert a potential electricity crunch.
While there are modest investments being made in Zimbabwe’s energy sector, potential output remains far from being enough to support investments in the economy.
