Pipes for US$48m Deka project flow in

Prosper Ndlovu in HWANGE

TRUCK loads of pipes and key equipment for the US$48,1 million Deka Pipeline Project continue to be delivered in Hwange as Government races to ensure the March 2023 implementation timelines are met.

The project is being implemented by the Second Republic parallel to the US$1,4 billion Hwange Unit 7 and 8 expansion project, to augment supply of water at Hwange Power Station with the coming on board of the two new units, which will add 600MW to the national grid. 

The Deka Pipeline project scope includes the construction of a new 42km, 960mm diameter pipeline from Deka High Lift pump station to Hwange Power Station; complete with independent cathodic protection, supply of spare pumps and motors, supply of spares for Deka Low Lift and High Lift pump stations, new supervisory control and data acquisition system and field instruments, refurbishment of Zinwa Water Treatment Plant in Hwange, and provision of three tap off points for supply of raw water to the Deka community. 

Our Bulawayo Bureau yesterday saw 36 haulage trucks that had arrived in Hwange to deliver part of the consignment while some were already on their way back from project site. Other pipes had been deposited at Hwange Zinwa Water Works.

The digging of the pipeline trench linking the Deka waterworks with the giant Hwange Thermal Power Station is already rolling while some of the pipes were seen offloaded along the pipeline pegs. 

Along the Hwange-Bulawayo highway, several trucks carrying the pipes headed for Hwange were also seen.

Contacted for comment, Zesa general manager in charge of stakeholder relations and communication, Dr George Manyaya, said: “As part of the Deka upgrade project we continue to receive the pipes.”

The power utility recently notified the public that it has started receiving various components for the Deka project, which is funded from a US$48,1million line of credit extended by the government of India to Zimbabwe. 

The Deka Upgrade project commenced on October 1, 2021 and is expected to be completed by March 31, 2023. 

“This is another achievement, which is expected to contribute immensely to the key aspirations of the National Development Strategy (NDS1) and Vision 2030, which is targeted to immensely contribute in achieving energy self-sufficiency,” said ZPC, in a statement recently. 

“To date, a total of US$13,7 million has been invested in procuring local goods and services such as surveys, general civil works, inland transportation, pipe laying and jointing, and pipe hydro testing and commissioning, thus, enormously contributing towards socio-economic development.” 

As part of it’s corporate social investment initiatives, ZPC has said it was cognisant of the need for access to water in the communities and has pledged to open several water outlets along the pipeline for the provision of this basic need. 

The company has also pledged to rop in locals for job opportunities as part of Government’s local empowerment strategy where the locals have been given first priority on employmemt.

“ZPC is committed towards energy self-sufficiency by the year 2030, and would like to thank all stakeholders for their sustained support and commitment in a bid to meet all the targets,” said the power utility.