Source: ZPC to ramp up power production – DailyNews Live
BUSINESS WRITER 8 May 2017
HARARE – Zimbabwe is expected to produce more electricity this year due to
improved water levels at Kariba Dam, the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) has
said.
This comes as the country endured power cuts almost daily last year due to
a devastating drought in 2015 that saw water levels declining by more than
42 percent.
However, ZPC managing director Noah Gwariro said his company was on track
to start generating additional power supplies at its Kariba hydro plant in
December 2017.
“The 2017 production target has been set at 7822,05GWh, representing a
15,38 percent increase from the 2016 output of 6779,16GWh. The increase is
attributed to the 50 percent increase in water allocation at Kariba Power
Station to 15 billion cubic meters for the year 2017,” he said.
Construction of two new generating units at the country’s biggest power
plant to add 300 megawatts (MW) of capacity is nearly complete and the
first 150 MW unit is expected to produce electricity by the end of this
year.
“The Kariba South Extension Project is 79 percent complete and on course
for the commissioning of unit 7 in December 2017,” Gwariro said.
Kariba is only producing 520 MW out of its capacity of 750 MW.
Peak power demand in Zimbabwe has fallen over the last decade to 1 600 MW
from 2 200 MW.
Zimbabwe’s economy contracted by nearly half during a 1999-2008 recession,
causing a decline in manufacturing and commercial agriculture production,
sectors that are among the largest consumers of electricity.
Gwariro also indicated that ZPC’s Hwange Power Station’s Unit 6 was
currently undergoing a major overhaul exercise which is expected to return
to service in August this year.
“Unit 3 major overhaul at Hwange will be expedited in the last quarter of
2017. Annual maintenance will also be conducted at all stations as per
statutory requirement.
“We will also continue to engage our suppliers in order to ensure constant
supply of our key resources,” he added.
COMMENTS