adminto the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority in 1987 following the amalgamation of all the local authority electricity undertakings – the Electricity Supply Commission thermal power stations at Munyati and Hwange and the Central African Power Corporation station at Kariba.
Unbundling of Zeas business units has resulted in the plant falling under the ZPC.
While initially the Bulawayo thermal power station had an installed capacity of 120MW, a refurbishment exercise in 1999 on the ageing plant gave it a new lease of life.
The station now has an installed capacity of 90MW although it is currently averaging 30MW. ZPC board chairperson Mr Victor Gapare said once the planned refurbishment is completed, the thermal power station would double output.
“Boiler plant availability will continue to be improved and once work on the evacuation feeders has been completed, the station is expected to generate 60MW.
“We also intend to replace the current boilers at the station and increase its capacity to 90MW,” he said.
Zimbabwe is experiencing huge power deficits which have impacted negatively on industrial performance with Zesa generating an average of about 1 200MW out of a national requirement of around 2 200MW in winter. — New Ziana
Online Reporter