Power supplies to continue

two power utilities followed threats by CBM to switch off Zimbabwe over a US$5 million debt.
HCB supplies Zimbabwe with 500 megawatts. Currently, Zesa Holdings is generating between 900 and 1 200 megawatts against a growing national demand of 1 900 megawatts.
Zimbabwe imports electricity from Mozambique and the Democratic Republic of Congo to cover shortfalls.
In an interview yesterday, Energy and Power Development Deputy Minister Hubert Nyanhongo said Zimbabwe had upped its payments to HCB.
“After threats by HCB, we sent a delegation to Mozambique led by Zesa chief executive Engineer Josh Chifamba to negotiate with them. They have reached an agreement and come up with a payment plan that I can not divulge,” he said.
“What I can only confirm is that we have increased our monthly payments to HCB and the nation should not be worried because Mozambique is not going to switch us off.”
Deputy Minister Nyanhongo said Government was making efforts to clear the debt.
He said Zesa Holdings had also intensified efforts to mobilise funds to clear its debts.
One of the ways, he said, was taking stern measures against defaulters. He however, dismissed reports that the power utility was afraid of switching off senior politicians. He said everyone who owed Zesa Holdings will be switched off.
Zesa Holdings is struggling to pay regional suppliers, which it owes about US$8 million.