Zim eyes 10 000MW power output

Regulatory Authority chairperson Mr Canada Malunga said Government had recently launched its National Energy Policy.
This calls for capacity expansion of 800MW at the Batoka Gorge hydropower power station by 2020 and 300MW at the Kariba South hydroelectric power station by 2016. The country is already pursuing a number of smaller hydropower plants, after issuing licences to independent power producers.
Speaking at the same forum, Zimbabwe Power Company managing director Mr Noah Gwariro said the power utility intended to invest US$900 million in existing plants to increase production capacity, as provided for in the energy policy.
ZPC would extend the Hwange Power Station’s capacity by 600MW.
Mr Gwariro said the power projects were at an advanced stage of development and would add 900MW to the national grid by 2016.
Expansion of Hwange and Kariba South was so far between 80 and 90 percent complete, while work on development of the Lupane gas project was 10 percent complete.
Mr Malunga said the new energy policy acknowledged the role of renewable-energy sources and that the power regulator was working on an Independent Power Producers policy framework that the Government would have to consider.
This would assist in crafting a renewable energy policy framework and drafting a tariff framework for renewable energy technology.
The regulator has licensed various large electricity generation projects, investing in 11 new projects with a combined capacity of about 5 400MW and valued at US$10 billion.
Mr Malunga said all the new electricity projects would be expected to join the Southern African Power Pool.
Zimbabwe faces a crippling power shortage and is at present able to generate about 1 200MW against the peak period national demand of about 2 200MW.
The power deficit has spawned frequent power cuts to industry, commerce and domestic users and has become a major obstacle to the recovery of the fragile economy.
There have been no significant investments since independence in 1980.
Zimbabwe relied on imports since there was surplus in the region and had the resources to do that because the economy was performing well.
But growing demands from the region and the economic instability over the last decade meant the country had neither the resources nor sufficient supplies from the region.