Energy Minister Says Hwange Expansion Project To "Cut" Zimbabwe's Power Deficit
Energy and Power Development Minister, Zhemu Soda has said Hwange Units 7 and 8 can contribute 600MW to the national grid by the first quarter of 2023 and reduce the power deficit in the country.
The minister told The Sunday Mail’s correspondent Wallace Ruzvidzo (WR) that Hwange Power Station (HPS) has consistently generated an average of 400 MW from four units out of a total of six units.
He also said The current power deficit is about 600MW after imports from neighbouring South Africa and Mozambique.
Ruzvidzo asked Soda about the impact the Hwange Units 7 and 8 will have on the power situation in the country once commissioned and the minister responded by saying:
Hwange Units 7 and 8 are expected to add 300MW in November and another 300MW in the first quarter of 2023. Hwange extension supply shall assist to cover the prevailing deficit as well as reduce over-utilisation of Kariba Water.
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He added that a total capacity of 1100MW (Hwange Expansion and Solar PV) from ZESA-driven projects and various contributions by private players conditions have been set for them to generate electricity in the next three years.
Soda added that the Hwange Expansion project was estimated to cost US$450 million in the year 2015. In 2020, a US $310 million Line of Credit (LoC) from India was secured.
He also said Zimbabwe was importing limited amounts of power because it owes suppliers.
He added that from January to August, expenditure on power imports stood at US$72.3 million.WR: What are Government’s plans to expedite Zimbabwe’s transition to clean energy?
