Online Reporter
Debra Matabvu-Senior Reporter
Work towards the repowering of Hwange Thermal Power Station’s ageing Units 1 to 6 has entered a critical phase, with contractor Jindal Power and Steel Company now conducting a comprehensive technical and financial audit of the units ahead of full refurbishment works expected to begin in the coming months.
The audit forms part of the handover-takeover process under which the contractor will assume temporary operational control of the units to facilitate rehabilitation under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement with the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC).
Energy and Power Development Minister July Moyo said the ongoing assessment involves evaluating the mechanical condition of the units, reviewing previous maintenance work and conducting financial audits to establish the baseline for refurbishment.
“What they are doing now is what we call the handover-takeover — an administrative process which includes auditing the units physically and financially,” said Minister Moyo.
“They are looking at the functionality of the units and, for example, assessing how US$70 million was used on Unit 5. The project is aimed at reviving Hwange Power Station Units 1 to 6 and auxiliaries under a Rehabilitate, Operate and Transfer model.”
The audit is a critical component of the project as it ensures clarity on the existing state of the infrastructure, accountability on past investments and accurate planning for the scope of rehabilitation works before major capital upgrades begin.
Under the agreement, Jindal will invest approximately US$450 million into the project, which will be implemented under a Rehabilitate, Operate and Transfer (ROT) model and monitored by a joint committee to ensure transparency and compliance with financial arrangements.
The six units, commissioned between 1983 and 1989 with a combined installed capacity of about 920 megawatts, have suffered declining performance due to ageing-related mechanical faults and outdated technology.
Currently, they generate roughly 300 MW, far below their design capacity.
Once repowered, output from the units is expected to increase to over 800MW, significantly boosting Zimbabwe’s electricity generation and improving supply stability.
The refurbishment, expected to take between 36 and 48 months, will be carried out in phases, with one unit upgraded at a time to minimise disruptions to existing power supply for households and industry.
Key upgrades will include replacement of turbines, generators and auxiliary systems, as well as installation of advanced digital control technologies aimed at improving operational efficiency, reducing energy losses and extending the lifespan of the units by between 15 and 20 years.
Minister Moyo said reviving the ageing units will play a crucial role in reducing load shedding and strengthening energy security.
“Reviving Hwange Power Station’s first six units will significantly increase national electricity supply, reduce load shedding and ensure reliable power for industries and households,” he said.
“These units are usually on and off,” he said.
Their average production averages between 300 and 600 megawatts, depending whether all of them are in service at any one time.”
Government has identified increased domestic generation as central to economic recovery, particularly as Zimbabwe continues to rely on electricity imports from Zambia, Mozambique and South Africa to bridge supply deficits.
The repowering project complements other recent investments in Hwange, including the commissioning of Units 7 and 8 in 2023, which improved generation capacity.
Authorities say enhanced local production is expected to reduce costly power imports, save foreign currency and support higher industrial output as demand for electricity continues to grow.
