admin“It is done. What is left is the launch, which should be either this month or next month,” he said.
Minister Mangoma said the new policy would also seek to encourage more participation of independent power producers.
“The new policy basically tries to make energy available to people by inviting more IPPs to produce energy and having a diversity of energy,” he said.
With the economy now on a growth trajectory, power demand particularly in the mining and manufacturing sector continues to grow, presenting Government with a challenge to lure investors into the sector.
Zimbabwe’s total installed capacity stands at 1 960MW while national demand is over 2 000MW.
The country currently generates around 1 200MW, resulting in shortfalls which have to be imported.
To improve the power situation in the country, the Government is rehabilitating and expanding the Hwange Thermal and Kariba South Hydro Power stations. The Batoka Gorge and Lupane gas projects are expected to offset the country’s power woes once implemented.
Several IPPs have also been licensed and their projects are expected to plug the power crisis that the country has been battling when they come on line. — New Ziana.
Online Reporter