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Oliver Kazunga Senior Business Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Power Company surpassed its energy generation target by 1,18 percent to 2,545,68GWh against a target of 2,515.93GWh in the period July to September 2015. ZPC managing director Engineer Noah Gwariro however said the third quarter saw a decline in power output.
He said:
“Kariba and Hwange Power Stations exceeded their production targets for the quarter. This fruitful result was due to high plant availability which was recorded at the stations and the improved performance of Hwange unit 4 during the quarter following its successful major overhaul.
“We faced a number of challenges in the third quarter which include the receding lake level at Kariba, resulting in the Zambezi River Authority advising ZPC to generate at a maximum average of 475MW.”
The plant is however able to dispatch 709MW during peak periods, he said adding that the small thermal power stations failed to meet their production target mainly due to low boiler availability and the unsuccessful commissioning of turbo-alternator one at Harare Power Station.
He said the decline in revenue collection by the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company has had a negative impact ZPC’s operations.
“This, coupled with the current economic environment, has prompted us to look at various means by which we can reduce costs in order to sustain our operations,” said Eng Gwariro.
He said despite the various challenges ZPC was facing, the power company remains diligent in its endeavour to generate electricity.
He said ZPC has come up with a number of possible solutions aimed at ending the power shortages facing the country.
“The organisation (ZPC) has revived existing projects and is developing new projects so as to get rid of the current situation.
“To date, the Kariba 300MW extension project is progressing well, and currently at 29 percent completion. Initial project activities (topographic and geotechnical surveys) are in progress for the Hwange expansion project, and we’re also working towards financial closure.
“The Gairezi project is currently at tendering stage, while the solar projects were awarded to Intratek Zimbabwe for Gwanda, ZTE for Insukamini and Number 17 Metallurgical Construction for Munyati…There are a number of other activities that have been running parallel to the expansion projects in order to ensure supply of power. This includes the completion of the Power System Stabiliser tuning at Hwange Power Station on units 2-6.
“The tuning of the system stabilisers will aid the reduction of system disturbances which have been affecting operations at the station,” he said.
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