Wenslus Murape
Leonard Ncube in HWANGE
ZESA Holdings executive chairman, Dr Sydney Gata, says the prevailing electricity supply challenges will be a thing of the past once the country completes the implementation of 18 power projects set to generate close to 4 000MW in the next two years.
Dr Gata said yesterday’s groundbreaking ceremony for the 720MW waste-to-thermal-coal power plant by President Mnangagwa in Hwange District, was part of the high-impact comprehensive steps to improve domestic power generation and tame blackouts.
His remarks come as a response to public anxiety over the power outages that last up to 10 hours in some areas.
Speaking at the ground-breaking event, Dr Gata said the new energy investments will tackle power supply challenges forever.
He noted that Titan New Energy, which has invested US$1 billion for a thermal plant in Hwange and an additional solar plant in Gweru, is one of the 18 projects being implemented that will address electricity shortages in the next two years.
“I have been insulted every day because of electricity challenges, but today marks the end of load-shedding,” Dr Gata said.
“This project we have come for today is only one out of 18 power plants being built in Zimbabwe.
“We have 18 projects that are starting and will give us 4 000MW. We are short of 600MW and so we will have a massive surplus and we are already thinking of where to sell.”
Dr Gata said the projects are being implemented in partnership with different independent power producers (IPPs).
Some of them include Pretoria Portland Cement, Zimasco, Dinson Steel, Afrochine, ZZEE, Titan and a number of other Chinese investors comprising six thermal power plants, a number of solar energy plants and a gas project.
Dr Gata said Zimbabwe will be the first country in the SADC region to have such surplus energy from private producers, which will feed into the region.
He said the Titan agreement was sealed three months ago, making energy access a key economic enabler in Zimbabwe.
Dr Gata thanked President Mnangagwa for his engagement and re-engagement policy that has attracted many investments.
The Titan project is in line with the total electrification of Zimbabwe policy where off grid projects will be rolled out next year, targeting solar systems for households.
Speaking at the same occasion, Energy and Power Development Minister Edgar Moyo said the Government is working on comprehensive measures including the hybrid modelling of Kariba Hydro-Power Station with solar, capacitation of ZESA and others to ensure access and affordability of energy.
“Today’s project will significantly strengthen Zimbabwe’s energy potential and make Hwange the generation hub of our electricity,” he said.
“It is a testament to our quest to ensure energy security. As a ministry, our mandate is clear, to provide a safe, reliable and efficient energy supply to all Zimbabweans.
“The ministry understands that the capital intensive nature of power infrastructure and successful implementation needs to depend on the private sector.”
To this end, the Second Republic has made deliberate political decisions aimed at attracting new players in the industry.
Minister Moyo said comprehensive measures are being made to address the present power situation, adding that load shedding is a result of low generation at Kariba due to low water levels.
That problem will be addressed through having a mix of solar and hydro-electricity.
Said Minister Moyo: “I want to express gratitude to the nation for exercising patience in these challenging times in power supply. We accept that climate change is here to stay, not only in Zimbabwe, but in the world as a whole.
“The ministry is, therefore, working on climate resilient measures that include hybridisation of water use in Kariba. ZERA also gave ZESA a cost-reflective tariff and there is need to capacitate ZESA to deliver.”
Minister Moyo said Government will continue to promote the private sector through engagement and facilitation, and hoped that the Titan project will not only increase energy, but act as a catalyst for increased private sector investment in the power sector.
Online Reporter
