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Nqobizitha Dhlamini Business Reporter
ZIMBABWE Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) has installed pre-paid meters for 96 percent of domestic users and small businesses with the remainder set to be completed by April, an official has said.
In an e-mailed response to questions, Zesa chief executive officer, Mr Josh Chifamba said at least 528 205 pre-paid meters have been installed from the start of the project against a target of 544 840.
ZETDC is a subsidiary of Zesa.
“We have so far managed to instal 528 205 meters in domestic premises and small institutions country wide. Although the target is 544 840, we are confident that the completion of the project will be realised within the first quarter of this year,” he said.
The ZETDC introduced the pre-paid meter system to allow customers to manage their electricity consumption as a way of controlling costs.
Although the project was received with mixed reactions, a majority of the people and the corporate sector cried foul over the tariffs which were said to be beyond the reach of many. Mr Chifamba also revealed that the initial plans to repower the Kariba South hydro power plants were abandoned.
“The Kariba South hydro power plant is not being repowered but plans are already in place to repower the thermal stations of Harare, Bulawayo and Munyati,” he said.
Mr Chifamba also said an international firm was awarded the Engineering Procurement Contract (EPC) to repower the thermal stations.
“An Indian firm Jaguar was last year awarded the EPC to repower the Harare Power Station and studies on the availability and sustainability of water for the project from the Seke Dam was carried out and the results were satisfactory,” he said.
Mr Chifamba said another of his company’s subsidiaries, the Zimbabwe Power Company, is engaging the City of Harare for the possible finalisation of the water supply agreement.
“Tenders have been floated for the funding of the Bulawayo and Munyati repowering projects to boost generation to achieve security of electricity supply,” he said. Mr Chifamba said that so far they have not met any challenges in their projects and the Kariba extension will be completed in 2018.
Online Reporter