Mavhaire tours small thermal stations

Chronicle Reporters
WORK on establishing five new small power stations is underway while Government is pushing for the embracement of new technology to boost power production in small thermal stations, a Cabinet Minister has said. Energy and Power Development Minister, Cde Dzikamai Mavhaire, who is on a nationwide tour of the power generation plants, said he was gathering details about the electricity generation situation with the view of engaging investors to improve production capacity.

During a tour of Kwekwe-based Munyati Thermal Power Station on Wednesday, Cde Mavhaire said the establishment of new power stations would increase production output and ease power outages.

He also said the country was moving towards utilising solar energy through the commercial solar energy system.
Said Cde Mavhaire: “The time of mourning over power outages and doing nothing about it is over. We must think outside the box.

President Mugabe told us to have a hands-on approach in our operations as ministers.

“We want to utilise our water and coal sources and set up mini-hydro power and thermal stations across the country. We have identified sites for setting up commercial solar energy system in Marondera, Zvishavane, Gwanda and Plumtree.”

Cde Mavhaire said Munyati had the right conditions for the setting up of an additional power station project.
The country’s power demand stands at about 2 000 megawatts against a generation capacity of 1 610 megawatts.