ZESA Pays US$10 Million To ESKOM To Restart Electricity Importation
The Zimbabwean government has paid US$10 million to South African power firm, Eskom so as to have more power imported from South Africa. Reports also suggest that the government is having a dialogue with Mozambican power firm for a similar arrangement.
Zimbabwe is currenlty facing a huge power deficit resulting from the shrinking water levels at Kariba dam and malfunctioning power generators at Hwange power station. Resultantly, power utility, ZESA has since introduced a crippling 17 hour load shedding.
Some ZESA officials who spoke to the Daily News revealed that the payment was a prerequisite for Eskom to reengage Zimbabwe. One insider said:
Yes it is true that Zesa paid US$10 million towards the debt to Eskom. Eskom wanted Zesa to pay something before they could re-engage Zimbabwe.
Zesa no longer disclose some of its transactions with other companies for fear of jeopardising future deals.
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Government is reportedly planning to engage Mozambican officials over the same issues. Hydro Cahora Basa (HCB) which exports about 50MW is owed a substantial amount by Zimbabwe.
The demand for electricity in the country has risen from 1 500 megawatts (MW) to 1 700MW because of the current winter season. There is therefore a mismatch between the power Zimbabwe can generate and the required volumes of power. At the moment, Kariba is said to be generating a maximum of 358 megawatts instead of its full capacity of 1 050MW.
Meanwhile, Hwange which normally supplies 700MW is currently generating a maximum of 500MW because of archaic equipment.
More: Daily News
