adminZIMBABWE is running with electricity meant for a population of just three million, amid reports that the country requires a new energy source after every five years.
In a wide-ranging interview, National University of Science and Technology Technopark Department director, who is also an expert in energy generation, Dr Eli Mtetwa said the country’s electricity energy had gone for over 25 years without improvement, a situation which causes an imbalance as the population is continuously increasing. He said the major problem that the country faces is that of under-investment in the energy sector.
“The major problem is under-investment in the energy sector. Looking back when Kariba Dam was constructed in 1960, the population in the country was at three million but since then there has not been any significant improvement of the plant. I can tell you that the electricity energy has gone for about 25 years without improvement while the population increases every year.
“Currently our population is sitting at about 14 million compared to power usage which was designed for three million consumers. Definitely the electricity supply will suffer.
“The country is supposed to venture into new energy equipment after every five years so as to keep abreast with the current population,” said Dr Mtetwa
He said there was a need for the Government to revisit the energy projects and ensure that they effectively increase power generation.
“The country must be producing energy of about 1 000 megawatts for every one million population, so for a country like Zimbabwe which is operating at 1 200 megawatts for a total of 14 million consumers, it is clear that this crisis we are experiencing right now has been long brewing.
“In the case of Zimbabwe, the turn of the century saw the electricity consumption going down due to loss of metallurgical industries. More companies like Ziscosteel, Kamative Mine and a lot more shut down hence there was a reduction in energy consumption,” said Dr Mtetwa.
He, however, noted that with an influx of electric gadgets in the country there could also have been a slight increase of electricity demands in the country.
“We cannot look down upon new technologies like mobile phones but those are low current users. If you have worked in a high current industry you would realise that the culture of energy saving suffers. You would find out that lights and other modern day electricity gadgets are never turned off during the day running for 24 hours.
“Major consumers of energy are metallurgical industry. For example, platinum producers, gold refinery — beneficiating into final products consumes a lot of energy. Manufacturing companies like Sable Chemicals are an exception, water electrolysis plant consume one eighth of the installed power supply, which is about 116 megawatts equivalent to energy consumption of other African countries,” said Dr Mtetwa.
Zesa spokesperson Mr Fullard Gwasira concurred with Dr Mtetwa noting that the turn of the century had seen a sudden sharp increase of electricity requirements in the country.
“We are living in an era where there is an increase of computers in both the office and at home. Further at home we are living in the modern kitchen era where almost every household now has a microwave, large freezers and stoves, all of which are large energy consumers.
“I would be lying if I said all these appliances are not impacting heavily on us, we really need to create new sources of power to help us cope with this upsurge. What we can do for now is encourage people to conserve the little energy they have that is by switching off any appliances they are not using,” said Mr Gwasira.
In an interview, Energy and Power Development permanent secretary Mr Partson Mbiriri said the country had not made any meaningful investment in additional power generation since 1987.
“1987 is like 28 years ago, this was the last time the country made any investment towards power generation. What is needed is for us to refocus our investment priorities, ensuring that we identify and work on new energy sources because right now the electricity we can generate does not tally with the country’s population,” said Mr Mbiriri.
Last month the Government announced plans to outlaw the use of electricity geysers with those with electric geysers given time to replace them with the solar-powered ones. Of late, the country has been experiencing massive load-shedding and power supply disruptions, resulting in many Zimbabweans spending hours in the dark.
According to the latest load-shedding schedule, most residential areas go from 4am to 10pm without power. The situation has forced many residents to use other energy sources such as LP gas, wood and solar, while others use generators.
According to Government, electricity supply is expected to improve in 2018 when projects on improving Harare and Bulawayo power stations are complete.
derick.khumalo
Online Reporter