Mauritian firm to build power plant in Mutare

had made an application to generate and supply electricity in the country.
The energy regulator said the proposed plant would generate electricity using a hydrogen reactor.
“The application has been made in terms of the provisions of the Electricity Act,” said Zera.
Zera has already invited representations on the proposed project. Hydrogen can be extracted from water using a process called electrolysis.
When hydrogen and oxygen from the air are mixed in a chamber the mixture produces electricity, heat, and water. It is efficient because it does not use fossil fuels and does not produce greenhouse gases.
During the first half of the year Government has licensed a number of independent power producers to boost power production in the country. Zimbabwe has got an installed capacity of 1 960MW and producing 1 200MW against a national demand of 2 200MW.
Zesa faces operational challenges including under- capitalisation compromised by debt, billing and collection challenges as well as lack of financial resources.
The power utility is also burdened by lack of specialised skills and tools required for planning and forecasting energy needs.
Analysts last week said the investment is welcome given the serious power shortages the country is facing. Economic slowdown has also been attributed to electricity shortages thus a 50MW plant for Mutare would improve capacity utilisation within the environs.
“This is the idea of mini-power plants to feed industries in selected areas like the Mutare industry in this instance. An additional 50MW to the nation is quite commendable,” said an analyst.
Harare alone requires about 400MW thus an additional 50MW would be a boost for a small city like Mutare.
This development comes at a time when Government is working on a number of initiatives to increase power generation in the country.
According to the country’s economic blueprint, the Medium Term Plan, power generation at Kariba would be increased from the current 750MW to 1 050MW by 2015 while at Hwange power generation is expected to go up from 920MW to 1 520MW.
The additional 300MW at Kariba require US$771 million and construction takes about three to four years.
The three thermal power stations — Harare, Bulawayo and Munyati — are also expected to increase power generation.
Meanwhile, electricity growth was revised downwards to 4,5 percent form 4,9 percent due to continuous breakdowns and intermittent generation at all small thermal stations attributed to costly transport and aged equipment.