adminHe said the synergy between economic growth and adequate energy supplies was critical.
Improved energy supply is one of the major underlying macro-economic assumptions of the plan.
Dr Sibanda lent his voice to the call for more efforts to be channelled towards the construction of a new generating plant coupled with current Zesa expansion efforts on existing power stations.
He said power generation capacity should be increased to 3 000 megawatts per day by 2015 to be sufficient.
Infrastructure is one of the key enablers that the MTP is anchored on and under the plan, power generation capacity must be increased to meet national demand and for export in the region.
Zesa Holdings is currently producing between 1 300 and 1 400 megawatts a day against a demand of about 2 000 megawatts.
“We need sufficient energy supplies to increase investor confidence,” said Dr Sibanda.
He said energy and transport, both air and railways, remained two key areas needing redress.
Dr Sibanda said the MTP had positive developments to note, namely moves towards value addition of products, cherished price stability and low inflation.
According to the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries, capacity utilisation last year rose 13,5 percent to 57,2 percent in the 12 months ending in June on the back of an increase in capital investment projects. — New Ziana.
Online Reporter