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Daniel Nemukuyu Senior Reporter
EXCESSIVE load-shedding that has hit the country since last month is due to maintenance work at the power stations, Energy and Power Development Minister Dzikamai Mavhaire has said.
The minister assured consumers that the situation would improve by end of the month.
This came at the time the power utility was in the process of negotiating with other countries for the supply of more power to completely end load-shedding in the country.
Addressing a Press conference in Harare, Minister Mavhaire said the power outage that hit most parts of Harare on Wednesday was a result of breakdown of Warren 330KV bulk power supply station.
He said it was a once-off incident and supplies had been restored by end of day on Wednesday.
Minister Mavhaire said erratic power supplies affecting the country were a result of the Zimbabwe Power Company’s ongoing exercise of statutory maintenance and rehabilitation work, which started early last month at Hwange and Kariba power stations.
He said ZPC had so far resolved breakdowns at Hwange Power Station and all the six faulty units.
“We expect the current situation to continue to improve.
“The breakdowns at Hwange and the transmission have been resolved,” said Minister Mavhaire.
“The power supply is expected to improve steadily and reach acceptable levels by the end of October 2013.
“While all the six units at Hwange have since been restored, there are still some works that need to be undertaken to increase the output and reliability of the power plant . . .”
Minister Mavhaire said such maintenance was normally conducted after the winter season when the demand for power was less, hence there was nothing political about it.
“All power generation machines need periodic planned maintenance to ensure safe and sustainable operations.
“This maintenance is normally carried out after the winter peak period with the aim of finishing the maintenance work before the following winter period,” said Minister Mavhaire.
“Some may take it to be a political issue insinuating that the maintenance started just after elections.
“There was enough power during the election period to avoid a situation where some would cry foul saying the election was done in the dark.
“All was done in light and maintenance work also has to be done when there is less demand for power.”
Minister Mavhaire said among the long- term power supply strategies, ZPC was implementing power generation expansion projects at Hwange and Kariba power stations.
“The two projects will see an increase in generation capacity by 900 megawatts in the next four years.
“The application for financing of the Ka- riba Power Station extension project by China EximBank, is at the final stages of approval and financial closure will be achieved during this quarter,” he said.
Minister Mavhaire said the contract for the expansion of Hwange Power Station was awarded to China Machinery Engineering Corporation and the company was still in negotiations with ZPC.
Also in the pipeline is the Batoka hydro project which is being implemented by the Zimbabwe and Zambia through the Zambezi River Authority.
There are several smaller power generating projects like the Gairezi Small Hydro, Chisumbanje expansion, solar power projects, China Sunlight Africa Thermal Power Plant and the regional power project.
Minister Mavhaire emphasised that the power supply shortages facing the nation was not a result of failure to pay for power imports. He said the power utility was in good standing with its power suppliers and that the debt relief that Zesa offered to customers was done after careful consideration of the company’s viability.
Online Reporter