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The Zimbabwe Energy Workers Union (ZEWU) has called for full disclosure from ZESA Holdings regarding its ongoing discussions with Indian firm Jindal Africa Investments, reported <a href="https://www.theindependent.co.zw/local-news/article/200038579/union-demands-transparency-in-zesas-us350m-power-deal">The Independent</a>.
The discussions centre around a joint venture between Jindal and ZESA to refurbish six units at Hwange Thermal Power Station for US$350 million, a project expected to add around 400 megawatts (MW) to the national grid.
In a letter dated February 13, 2025, addressed to Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) managing director Norbert Matarutse, ZEWU general secretary Martin Chikuni expressed concerns about the secrecy surrounding the deal and the lack of transparency regarding the activities at Hwange Thermal Power Station. He wrote:
<blockquote>
We are reliably informed, by our members, that your management is at an advanced stage in negotiations with some company or individual from India, for the partial or total takeover of Hwange Thermal Power Station.
There is no doubt that such a development will invariably have a negative impact on the workers’ welfare and conditions of service yet they were never consulted or participated, through their union in the decision, despite their inalienable right to be involved and participate in any decision.
If this is indeed true, we find your approach to be inconsiderate, disrespectful and reckless to the almost 700 employees working at Hwange as well as their families whose livelihoods rely entirely on their breadwinners currently employed by ZPC, at Hwange.
</blockquote>
ZPC, a division of ZESA, is responsible for electricity generation.
Chikuni called for an urgent meeting with ZPC management to address the issue, warning that if their request was ignored, they would “pursue all available legal options within the next five working days.”
In response, ZESA Holdings said that the discussions are still in the early stages, awaiting cabinet approval, and therefore cannot be disclosed as finalised. It added:
<blockquote>
However, when Jindal came with its expression of interest they brought their top management who engaged with the power station management and worker representatives.
Management is fully aware of the need to engage workers once there is a clear direction on the expression of interest.
</blockquote>

Pindula News

Zimbabwe Energy Workers Union wants ZESA to tell us everything about a $350 million deal with Indian company Jindal to fix Hwange Power Station. They say workers and their families should be consulted as their jobs are at stake. ZEWU demanded a meeting with ZESA to talk about the deal, threatening legal action if ignored. ZESA said the talks are early and need approval before details can be shared. They promised to involve workers when a decision is made. The union and ZESA are still discussing to make sure workers' interests are protected.

Union Demands Full Disclosure On US$350 Million Hwange Power Station Deal

The Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) initially reported on Thursday, January 2, 2025, that the Kariba South Power Station was generating 599MW.
However, about three hours later, the power utility revised the figure, stating that the station’s generation was actually 185MW.
ZPC, a subsidiary of ZESA Holdings, had earlier on Tuesday provided an energy generation update, claiming Kariba was producing 599MW, Hwange Thermal Power Station was generating 700MW, and Independent Power Producers (IPPs) were contributing 54MW, for a total of 1,353MW.
After the revision, the output from Hwange and IPPs remained the same, but Kariba’s generation was significantly lowered to 185MW. The utility did not provide an explanation for the sudden change in Kariba’s output.
The initial claim of 599MW from Kariba raised questions, particularly after a report from the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) on Monday, December 30, 2024.
ZRA, responsible for managing the water levels in the Kariba Dam, warned that the lake’s water levels had continued to drop, despite minor fluctuations due to rainfall.
On that day, the Usable Live Storage (for power generation) was only 2%, down from 11.83% on the same date in 2023.
Given the current water scarcity, it seems unlikely that Kariba could be generating 599MW, especially after months of low output due to insufficient water for power generation.
<img alt="Image" decoding="async" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GgRQSooX0AAphD_?format=png&amp;name=large"/><img alt="Image" decoding="async" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GgR8Y4OW4AAna2P?format=png&amp;name=large"/>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) said Kariba Dam generating 599MW, then changed it to 185MW. Hwange and IPPs output same. ZRA reported water levels low in Kariba Dam. Unlikely for Kariba to produce 599MW with low water levels. Kariba has been low on output due to water scarcity. Kariba is major source of electricity generation. Kariba Dam is important for power generation in Zimbabwe. Decision to lower output unclear.

ZESA Reports 599MW For Kariba, Later "Corrects" Electricity Generation Figures To 185MW

The Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) has extended load shedding to over 24 hours on some days, following a reduction in electricity generation at its largest power plant, Hwange Thermal Power Station, and its most reliable station, Kariba Hydro Power Plant.
According to Zimbabwe Price Check, many neighborhoods experienced power outages lasting the entire day on Tuesday this week. It said:
<blockquote>
If you did not get any power last night in your neighbourhood, you are not alone. Many people in Harare have reported the same issue.
ZESA power was never restored yesterday evening. This means many households are now facing more than 24 hours of load-shedding.
</blockquote>
In some areas of the country, including Chitungwiza, electricity was restored just after 10 PM on Thursday, only for residents to be plunged back into darkness less than three hours later.
This week, ZESA confirmed the ongoing power shortage, attributing it to a technical fault at Hwange Power Station and low generation capacity at Kariba Power Station, which is struggling due to low water levels. The power utility said:
<blockquote>
ZESA Holdings would like to advise its valued stakeholders that the national power grid is currently experiencing reduced electricity generation capacity due to a technical fault at Hwange Power Station.
This has been further compounded by low generation capacity at Kariba Power Station, resulting from low water levels.
Our technical teams are actively working to resolve the fault at Hwange to minimise the impact on our customers.
</blockquote>
On Friday, November 15, ZESA’s power generation unit, the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC), reported that Hwange was producing 874 megawatts (MW), Kariba was generating 124.5 MW, and independent power producers were contributing 66 MW.
Despite these figures, many ZESA customers are puzzled by the severity of the load shedding, which seems disproportionate to the daily electricity generation statistics provided by ZPC.
In the past, load shedding was less severe when ZESA’s total generation was under 1,000 MW. This has led the public to question why they are facing 16-hour or longer blackouts now, when ZESA is generating more than half of the country’s electricity needs and also claims to be impoerting power from neighbouring countries.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

ZESA in Zimbabwe is cutting off electricity for more than 24 hours in some places. This is because their main power plants are not working well. People are experiencing long periods of darkness in their homes. ZESA says there is a technical problem at the Hwange Power Station and low water levels at the Kariba Power Station. They are trying to fix the problems. Even though there is still some electricity being produced, the blackouts are lasting longer. This is confusing for people because in the past, blackouts were not as long when there was less electricity being generated.

ZESA Extends Load Shedding To Over 24 Hours

Zambia announced on Thursday it will import electricity from South Africa and Zimbabwe as drought reduced hydropower output, leading to load shedding of up to 16 hours a day.
Speaking at a press conference, Energy Minister Makozo Chikote said that the state-owned power company ZESCO will procure 218 megawatts of power from South Africa’s Eskom and the Zimbabwe Power Company. Said Chikote:
<blockquote>
ZESCO Limited has negotiated the procurement of 218 MW of power from Eskom, South Africa, and Zimbabwe Power Company… The electricity procured from the two companies is expected to be injected into the grid within the month of August.
</blockquote>
Chikote also revealed that as of June 30, 2024, Zambia had recalled 260 MW out of a total of 500 MW from the export market.
The Zambian Energy Minister further stated that by the end of July, ZESCO could only supply less than half of the country’s peak demand, putting the power deficit at around 1,360 megawatts.
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC), which is currently generating 1,325 MW, can sell excess electricity during off-peak hours.
ZETDC, Zimbabwe’s electricity distribution company, is currently implementing up to 16 hours of load shedding during the day. However, at night, due to reduced electricity usage, the country has a surplus.
On Monday, August 5, the Hwange Thermal Power Station hit 1 Gigawatt (1,004 MW) of power generation, a significant milestone.
However, Kariba was only generating a paltry 292 MW, while independent power producers (IPPs) contributed 29MW, giving a total generation of 1,325 MW for Zimbabwe.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Zambia is getting less electricity due to a drought, so they will import power from South Africa and Zimbabwe. They will get 218 megawatts of power from these countries, and it should be available in August. Zambia has a big electricity shortage, with a deficit of 1,360 megawatts. Meanwhile, Zimbabwe has extra power at night but not enough during the day. The Hwange Thermal Power Station in Zimbabwe hit a milestone by generating 1,004 MW. Zambia and Zimbabwe are working together to solve their energy problems.

Zambia To Import Electricity From Zimbabwe, South Africa

The Greater Hwange Residents Trust and Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) workers have petitioned the Matabeleland North provincial Environmental Management Agency (EMA) seeking the release of information regarding the pollution from Hwange Thermal Power Station of Ingagula township, which is located close to the power plant, reported the <a href="https://newsday.co.zw/southerneye/local/article/200028795/residents-petition-ema-over-hwange-air-pollution">Southern Eye</a>.
They petitioned EMA through the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights and handed the petition to the EMA provincial manager Chipo Mpofu-Zuze.
According to human rights lawyers, the Ingagula township is situated close to a recently expanded thermal power station, posing a potential health risk to residents. Reads the petition:
<blockquote>
Our clients advise that since the commissioning of the two units, air quality levels in Ingagula township and the surrounding areas have deteriorated and there are growing cases of poor health being caused by air pollution from the emissions of the power generating stations.
Our clients are concerned that the right of the residents to an environment that is not harmful to their health or well-being in terms of section 73(1)(a) of the Constitution is being violated.
</blockquote>
The ZLHR further stated that EMA must ensure that an operation of the size of the expanded power plant (whose installed capacity is 600MW) will not harm the environment and the communities residing in the particular area before it commences. Reads the petition:
<blockquote>
In terms of the law, we are aware that for any operations of such magnitude to commence, in any area in Zimbabwe, your office is supposed to be informed and plays a crucial role as a regulatory authority in assessing and determining whether such an operation should commence and to ensure that the operation will not in any way harm the environment and the communities residing in the particular area.
We advise that our clients have the right to environmental information in terms of section 4(b) of the Environmental Management Act [Chapter 20:27]. As such, we have been instructed as we hereby do to request that you furnish us within seven days of your receipt of this letter the environmental impact assessment report concluded prior to the completion of Units 7 and 8, the conditions on the permitted emissions in the emissions licence for the power station issued in terms of sections 64 and 65 of the Act.
</blockquote>
The ZLHR requested that EMA conduct investigations into the air pollution caused by the power generating station. This is per section 63(1)(b) of the relevant Act.
Additionally, the ZLHR requested that the EMA provide them with the most recent ambient air sampling results for Hwange town, with a specific focus on the Ingagula township and surrounding areas.
EMA has yet to respond to the petition.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Hwange Residents Petition EMA Over Thermal Power Plant Pollution

The Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC), a ZESA Holdings subsidiary, requires US$500 million for the repowering of Hwange Power Station Units 1 to 6, an official at the power utility has said.
The repowering programme is expected to take four to five years to complete.
Addressing members of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Energy who were on a fact-finding mission recently, ZPC general manager Shepherd Mukundu said they have borrowed US$50 million to kick-start the project. He said (via <a href="https://www.sundaynews.co.zw/us450-million-to-repower-hwange-units-1-6/">The Sunday News</a>):
<blockquote>
We are still talking to Exim Bank of India who are going to be the financier for that repowering initiative, it’s going to come in two tranches, one of them is US$310 million and another one US$110 million which was originally meant for Bulawayo Power Station.
So, we have taken it upon ourselves to borrow money from Stanbic, a US$50 million facility to kick-start the repowering process such that when we eventually get funding from Exim Bank of India it will find us somewhere.
But what we would have wanted is to get all the money that we want so that we can then increase traction.
</blockquote>
In addition to about 600 MW being generated by two new units (7 and 8), Units 1 to 6 are producing 420MW at most, according to Mukundu. He said:
<blockquote>
In terms of power generation, our low-hanging fruit currently is the repowering of Units 1 to 6, we are producing 420MW which is not easy to sustain given the conditions of the plant but we thank God that we are doing that capacity currently.
One of the deliverables that we expect to see coming from repowering is increased capacity, increased reliability and also extension of life from 15 to 20 years that is what we seek to achieve in terms of repowering.
</blockquote>
Mukundu also said ZPC has started using its own resources to finance the repowering. He said:
<blockquote>
Our revenues remain subdued compared to critical obligations such as financing operations that include offsetting loans, spare parts purchase as well as the import bill. ZPC requires US$5 million for spare parts that are imported.
</blockquote>
In the first quarter of 2024, Hwange Power Station generated 1 696.4 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity, accounting for 75.4 per cent of the total electricity generated during that period.
This comes as generation from Kariba Hydro-Power Station has continued to decline due to falling water levels in Kariba Dam, attributed to severe drought during the 2023/24 rainy season.
Kariba contributed 19.6 per cent (440.5 GWh), and Independent Power Producers (IPPs) provided the remaining 5.1 per cent.
On 21 June, Hwange was generating 929 MW, Kariba a paltry 292 MW, and IPPs were producing 23 MW.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

ZESA Seeks US$450 Million To Repower Hwange Units 1 To 6

The Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) and Wicknell Chivayo’s Intratek Zimbabwe are poised to restart the 100MW Gwanda Solar Project.
The project faced setbacks due to alleged non-performance by Chivayo’s company, but recent developments have put it back on track.
ZPC’s acting managing director, Norbet Matarutse, informed the parliamentary portfolio committee on mines and energy that discussions are underway to revive the stalled Gwanda Solar Project. He said (<a href="https://www.zimlive.com/zpc-intratek-revive-abandoned-gwanda-solar-project/">via ZimLive</a>):
<blockquote>
The Supreme court made a judgement that we need to go back to the contract that we signed with Intratek in 2015 which is what we are doing. We seek to make sure that we abide by the ruling of the Supreme Court.
</blockquote>
The Supreme Court made a judgement that we need to go back to the contract that we signed with Intratek in 2015 which is what we are doing. We seek to make sure that we abide by the ruling of the Supreme Court.
In 2015, Intratek Zimbabwe won a tender worth US$200 million. ZPC paid Intratek Zimbabwe US$5 million for initial tasks like site clearance and feasibility studies.
Due to delays, ZPC cancelled the contract and reported Intratek Zimbabwe and Chivayo to the police for fraud.
Later, the courts acquitted Chivayo and Intratek Zimbabwe of fraud, affirming the contract’s validity. Additionally, the court ordered ZPC to fulfil its contractual duties.
Tungamirai Chinhengo, a lawyer for ZPC told the same committee that the US$5 million paid to Intratek was for the commencement works. He added:
<blockquote>
The parties are currently engaging each other intending to resume works at the Gwanda Solar Project.
However, I want to clarify a position which has been misinterpreted about the US$22 million damages.
The issue of damages has never been ordered by any court in respect of this. The High Court and Supreme Court never ordered anything in respect of damages to Intratek.
</blockquote>
Chinhengo mentioned that ZPC and Intratek are currently discussing a review of the contract price. He said given the substantial reduction in global solar pricing due to technological advancements, the parties are exploring adjustments to the contract terms, considering the time that has passed since 2015.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Chivayo, ZPC Revive Abandoned Gwanda Solar Project

In a significant development, the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC), a subsidiary of the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA), successfully reconnected Hwange Thermal Power Station’s Unit 6 last week. This achievement adds approximately 150 megawatts (MW) to the national grid.
Another 100MW unit is expected to be brought back online within the next two weeks, further bolstering the country’s power capacity.
Energy and Power Development Minister Edgar Moyo, in an interview with <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/zesa-boosts-power-output-from-hwange">The Sunday Mail</a>, highlighted the impact of these reconnections.
The two units at Hwange are poised to enhance daily power generation, aiming for an impressive output of around 1,500MW. Here’s what Minister Moyo had to say:
<blockquote>
Currently, we are producing about 1,300MW against a demand ranging from 1,700MW to 2,000MW. Last week, we successfully brought back Unit 6, one of our largest units, which now contributes 150MW.
On April 7, we’re set to bring back another 100MW unit, assuming all goes smoothly. This move will raise our production to the targeted 1,500MW.
</blockquote>
To address the remaining shortfall, local power generation is also supported by independent power producers, contributing an average of 80MW daily.
This concerted effort aims to minimize reliance on imports, aligning with Zimbabwe’s goal of self-sufficiency.
Additionally, Zimbabwe has ambitious plans for the future. By September 2024, the country intends to install its first utility-scale battery storage system (USBSS).
This large-scale battery storage acts as a giant rechargeable battery, storing excess electricity generated during off-peak hours and releasing it back into the grid during peak demand periods.
Minister Moyo also revealed that the government secured a portion of a US$310 million loan from the Export-Import Bank of India.
This funding will support the refurbishment of six old units at Hwange. However, additional funding remains a priority to ensure sustained progress.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

ZESA Boosts Hwange Power Output With Unit 6

Power utility ZESA Holdings says the national grid experienced a system disturbance on Wednesday morning which resulted in the loss of generation at the Hwange Power Station.
In a statement issued around midday today, ZESA said the system disturbance has resulted in increased load shedding across the country. ZESA said:
<blockquote>
ZESA Holdings would like to inform its valued customers that the national grid experienced a system disturbance this morning at 0938 hours, resulting in the loss of generation at the Hwange Power Station.
This has resulted in increased load curtailment across the country. Our engineers are working flat out to ensure the restoration of service in the shortest possible time.
</blockquote>
Earlier on Wednesday, ZESA Holdings’ power generating unity, the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC), said that Hwange was generating 774MW, Kariba was producing 300MW, and IPPs were generating 31MW.
This means locally generated power is currently less than 400MW against a peak demand of 2 200MW.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

"System Disturbance" Knocks Off Hwange Power Station

ZESA has commenced the refurbishment of Unit 5 at the Hwange Thermal Power Station to extend its lifespan by up to 25 years.
The Unit has an installed capacity to generate 220 megawatts (MW).
The work started immediately after the successful synchronisation of the new Units, 7 and 8 this year, and is expected to be completed in 2024.
In 2022, the Government secured a US$310 million loan from India’s Export and Import Bank to fund an extensive overhaul of Units 1-6 at Hwange.
The funds for the project, however, are yet to be released.
In an interview, with <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/hwange-units-1-6-refurb-begins">The Sunday Mail</a>, ZESA consultant Cletus Nyachowe said the power utility was using its funds to kickstart the project. Nyachowe said:
<blockquote>
To enable the disbursement of the US$310 million, the lenders would like to know the exact scope of the work that needs to be done, and that comes in the form of a detailed project report (DPR).
So, ZESA, together with our consultant, the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC), have produced that DPR which has been submitted to the financiers and they are looking at that report.
As ZESA and ZPC, we have been proactive; even before the disbursement of that US$310 million, we have started the refurbishment programme with Unit 5 already undergoing an overhaul.
Work has already started using our internal resources and we should be through with the first unit during the third quarter of 2024.
</blockquote>
He added that ZESA will decommission one Unit at a time for refurbishment. Said Nyachowe:
<blockquote>
It will take an average of five to six months to refurbish each unit over a period of five to six years.
So, you can see it is quite an extensive project, which will not be finished in the short-term, but will proceed over five to six years.
</blockquote>
The refurbishment of the six units, which were commissioned between 1983 and 1987, is expected to restore generation capacity to about 9 00MW.
Combined with the two new units, Hwange would then have an installed capacity of more than 1 400MW, making it the biggest power plant in the country.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

ZESA Commences Hwange Units 1 To 6 Refurbishment

The Government says the country is steadily moving towards energy sufficiency which will make load shedding a thing of the past.
In an interview with <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/zimbabwe-close-to-energy-sufficiency-local-generation-and-imports-now-meet-daily-demand-of-almost-2-000mw/">State media</a> on the sidelines of the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) conference in Victoria Falls on Wednesday, 28 June, Energy and Power Development Ministry Permanent Secretary Gloria Magombo said local generation and imports now meet the daily demand of almost 2 000MW.
She said Hwange Thermal Power Station’s Units 7 and 8 which are undergoing technical commissioning ahead of commercialisation, have improved the power situation in the country. Said Magombo:
<blockquote>
We need to meet the growing demand which is based on the growing economy. As for Hwange Units 7 and 8, from March this year, we successfully synchronised Unit 7 which has been going through technical commissioning.
We are now doing the last of the tests and it will soon be going into commercial operation and as they are doing the tests the power is being supplied.
And we have also successfully in May brought in Unit 8 which is now going through reliability tests and, it will go on until September when it will also go into commercial operation.
While there may be a day or two where we will be doing other tests, it will be available and that is already being felt by people.
</blockquote>
Units 7 and 8 will provide a combined 600MW once they are operating at full capacity.
Before the expansion project, Hwange Power Station had an installed capacity of 920MW and the addition of 600MW from Units 7 and 8 will take the installed capacity to 1 520MW.
However, the old units experience frequent breakdowns and can no longer be relied on.
Magombo said the current demand is 1 850MW and, in addition to imports, the gap between demand and local power generation has been reduced drastically. She said:
<blockquote>
If you look at the additional 600MW which we have added onto the grid with all the two units running, our current demand is sitting at about 1 850MW.
We are now almost exactly supplying that amount, including some of the power which is coming from imports.
Obviously, you know that Kariba reduced output so we can do more in a year where there is much more water.
So we are cautiously using Kariba now, but what we have is able to meet our demand and we are able to do without any load shedding.
</blockquote>
On 01 July 2023, Kariba Hydro Power Station was generating 875 MW, Hwange 600 MW and Harare 15 MW to give a total of 1 490 MW.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Local Power Generation And Imports Now Meet Demand - Govt Official

Energy and Power Power Development Minister, Zhemu Soda said that the Hwange Thermal Power Station Unit 7 will be back on the national grid on Monday.
Last week, the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) announced that the 300MW Hwange Unit 7 had been temporarily removed from the grid for system evaluation before the final commissioning phase.
Responding to questions from Senators on Thursday, Soda said the reliability tests for Unit 7 had been completed and it will be back on the grid on Monday. The <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/hwange-unit-7-passes-test-runs-back-on-grid-next-monday/">Chronicle</a> quoted the Minister as saying:
<blockquote>
It was being run on commissioning tests where they were testing the turbine running capacity, which was successful and also the boiler hydraulics.
What happened is that after running it for the period of the tests, they took it out of the grid in order for technicians to do evaluations before the unit is run on a commercial basis.
</blockquote>
Meanwhile, the synchronisation of Unit 8 did not go as planned on 16 May, according to the Minister.
He said when the synchronisation started, engineers discovered after about three hours that there was an area that they needed to attend to and it was taken off the grid. Said Soda:
<blockquote>
They have been working on the unit and according to what they had pre-determined at a time when they took it off the grid, the unit was supposed to be tied back to the grid today (last Thursday).
</blockquote>
He said he was yet to get an update from the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) on whether that had happened.
Unit 7 and 8 are expected to add 600 megawatts to the grid and reduce the duration of unscheduled power cuts being experienced across the country.
The two units were built at a cost of about US$1.4 billion by a Chinese contractor.
The Hwange Thermal Power Station expansion project started in 2018 but was affected by a number of unforeseen events such as the COVID-19 outbreak.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Hwange Unit 7 Back On The Grid On 22 May

The Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) regularly adjusts electricity tariffs making it imperative for its customers to manage electricity consumption to cut costs.
ZETDC has offered some tips on managing electricity usage in in the office saying this helps alleviate pressure on the grid. Here are the tips:
<ul>
<li>Replace all incandescent lights with compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) or light-emitting diodes (LEDs).</li>
<li>During the day, where possible, use natural lighting from windows rather than using lights.</li>
<li>Switch off all lights when leaving the office.</li>
<li>Switch off computers and printers from the plug, when leaving the office. Appliances on standby mode still consume energy.</li>
<li>Insulate water heaters, hot water piping, and tanks to reduce heat loss.</li>
<li>Invest in energy-efficient air conditioning systems and energy-efficient electronic devices. Opt for fan heaters instead of element heaters.</li>
<li>Go green, and use renewable energy. Consider installing solar panels for other energy needs, and sell the excess to the grid.</li>
</ul>
Zimbabwe is currently experiencing long hours of power blackouts due to under-investment in the energy sector which has resulted in ageing power plants generating below capacity.
On Friday, 19 May, the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) was generating a total of 1 005MW at its five power stations against national demand of roughly 2 200MW.
Kariba was producing 750MW, Hwange, 240MW, Harare 15MW, Munyati 0MW, Bulawayo, 0MW.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Here Is How To Manage Electricity Usage In The Office

The Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC)’s Harare Thermal Power Plant is now producing electricity after undergoing routine maintenance, while the Hwange Thermal Power Plant has increased generation from less than 80MW last week to more than 390MW.
Harare power station is an approximately 90-megawatt (MW) coal-fired power station located along Coventry Road in Harare Metropolitan Province.
According to generation statistics released by ZPC, on Tuesday, 7 March 2023, Harare was generating 10MW, Hwange 391MW, and Kariba South Bank Power Station 292MW giving a total of 693MW, up from 260MW last Friday.
Meanwhile, the Kariba Dam water level is rising gradually. According to Zimbabwe River Authority (ZRA), as of 06 March 2023, Lake Kariba had 15.15% of usable storage meant for power generation.
However, Zimbabwe’s peak electricity demand in Summer is 1 800MW. The country is currently importing a reported 500MW from South Africa, Zambia, and Mozambique.
This means that Zimbabwe currently has a deficit of more than 600MW and this results in unscheduled prolonged power outages euphemistically referred to as load shedding.
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Harare Power Station Now Generating Electricity

Zimbabwe’s thermal power generation dropped significantly on Tuesday 28 February 2023, with Hwange Thermal Power Station producing only 74 megawatts (MW) against the 920MW installed capacity.
The three small thermal stations – Bulawayo, Harare, and Munyati had zero output.
Hwange Power Station is the largest coal-fired power station in Zimbabwe with 920MW installed capacity which comprises 4x120MW and 2×220 MW units.
According to power generation figures from the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC), Hwange Thermal Station production levels fell to 74MW. As a result, households are going for more than 16 hours without power.
Kariba South Hydropower Station was producing 250MW due to low water levels in the dam. The power plant has 1 050MW installed capacity.
Meanwhile, Hwange Power Station has been prone to breakdowns as most of its units are old.
On Monday 27 February, Hwange generated 75MW down from 168MW and 139 MW on Friday and Thursday last week respectively.
Early in the month, Hwange alone contributed about 384MW to the national grid.
Hwange units 7 and 8 are each expected to feed 300MW into the national grid when completed. It is not known when the two units will come on stream.
According to reports, Zimbabwe has a peak electricity demand of 1 600MW.
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Zimbabwe's Power Plants Generating 324MW In Total

Intratrek Zimbabwe Pvt Ltd managing director Wicknell Chivayo has vowed to fast-track and complete the Gwanda solar project to help alleviate the electricity crisis bedevilling the country.
The controversial Gwanda solar project had stalled for years after the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC), a ZESA Holdings subsidiary and Intratrek were locked in a legal wrangle over its implementation.
On 11 January 2023, the High Court ruled that the US$173 million project should go on as it is still valid.
Chivayo and his company had sued ZPC for causing malicious prosecution against them.
Intratrek had demanded US$25 million from ZPC for defamation and expenses he incurred.
But speaking after the court ruling, Chivayo said his focus was to now resume the project and complete it. He said:
<blockquote>
We receive the High Court judgment as highly commendable as it is a vindication of the position that we have always advanced, particularly that the EPC Contract was unlawfully terminated by ZPC.
It allays the regrettable misinformation about the project and aspersions that Intratrek did not perform its contractual obligations.
We applaud our judiciary for seeing this matter for what it is, applying the law impartially to the dispute and not being swayed by the court of public opinion.
… We remain resolute to ensure that with the legal impediment removed by the courts, the solar project will be implemented expeditiously and in the national interest.
</blockquote>
Chivayo said he was not concerned with receiving damages from ZPC but with ensuring that Zimbabwe has 100MW of clean energy. He said:
<blockquote>
I wish to reiterate and set the record straight that we are not overly concerned with receiving damages from ZESA yet the country is reeling under prolonged hours of load shedding.
It will be a dereliction of duty as citizens of Zimbabwe to pursue a remedy that will impoverish a State utility and prejudice the generality of Zimbabweans, ourselves included.
We shall therefore prioritise and emphasize to our partners at ZESA that the demand for power be immediately resolved by allowing the project to be implemented, as opposed to payment of the damages awarded by the Courts.
</blockquote>
He added that Intratrek’s financiers and technical partners are ready and willing to implement the project within the shortest possible time. | <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/chivayo-says-not-interested-us25m-court-award-for-now-vows-to-implement-solar-project-and-help-end-power-crisis/">NewZimbabwe.com</a>

Chivayo Pledges To Expedite Implementation Of Gwanda Solar Project

Energy and Power Development Minister, Zhemu Soda, has said the commissioning of Unit 7 at the Hwange Thermal Power Plant is “almost complete”.
Speaking in an interview with State media on Wednesday, Soda said engineers are now finalising works on the protection system that allows evacuation of power from the Unit to the grid. He said:
<blockquote>
The testing of the power plant was done and passed. We are only left with the testing of the protection system that allows for the evacuation of power to the transmission system and a team from China only came into the country in mid-December when we initially expected them in November.
There was also a delay in their understanding of all the systems; we are now expecting them to complete the test in three weeks and to have the plant run by end of this month.
</blockquote>
Commercial production from Unit 7 was initially expected to start at the end of December 2022.
The Unit will produce 300MW and Unit 8, which is scheduled to be commissioned later in this quarter will also have the same capacity. Said Soda:
<blockquote>
We don’t expect it to take much longer to commission Unit 8 because we have learned many lessons from the current unit.
</blockquote>
After the commissioning of Hwange 7 &amp; 8, ZESA intends to start major rehabilitation of the existing units to restore their capacity to 930 MW.
The government has reportedly secured US$310 million from the Export-Import Bank of India for the exercise. | <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/hwange-unit-7-testing-in-final-stages/">The Herald</a>

Hwange Power Station Unit 7 Testing In Final Stages - Soda

The government says it has secured funding to enable small thermal power stations, that is, Bulawayo, Harare, and Munyati, to generate more electricity to ease the current energy crisis.
Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, Energy and Power Development Minister Soda Zhemu, said:
<blockquote>
Munyati power station has a capacity of 90 megawatts (MW), Bulawayo produces 100MW, and Harare around 200MW.
They have been producing less, and we are working on Bulawayo station to produce around 90 to 100MW, and funding has been secured for that.
</blockquote>
Soda also said the government was considering moving Bulawayo thermal station to Hwange, to avoid future coal supply challenges.
On Wednesday, 14 December 2022, the Zimbabwe Power Company was generating a total of 537MW.
Hwange was generating 366MW, Kariba 171MW, Harare, Bulawayo and Munyati were generating nothing. | <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/new-govt-revives-small-thermal-power-stations">The Sunday Mail</a>

ZESA Planning To Move Bulawayo Power Station To Hwange

The Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) is owed ZWL$14 billion (about US$20 million at the official rate) by its customers.
This was said by Deputy Energy and Power Development Minister Magna Mudyiwa in the Senate on Thursday while responding to questions on the current power crisis.
Mudyiwa said ZESA introduced prepaid meters because people were not paying their bills. She said:
<blockquote>
People would (use) as much electricity as they wanted and would not pay up. For your information, ZESA is owed about $14 billion right now.
ZESA is not getting any funding from the government for its operations. It is a company that is supposed to run on its own just like any other company.
It is supposed to buy equipment (such as) vehicles that are used when attending to faults.
They are supposed to procure fuel and are not getting forex because many people are paying in Zimbabwe dollars.
ZESA is supposed to pay its workers. You might have heard that there is a lot of brain drain that took place at ZESA and a lot of professionals left this country and went as far as UK and Australia and ZESA is supposed to pay its workers adequately – all that is not happening because ZESA is owed a lot of money by consumers.
All these units that we are using at Hwange need revamping, they are very old and need rehabilitation but there is no money because ZESA is owed more than (14) billion dollars.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe is facing one of its worst power crises due to depressed generation at its power plants resulting from low water levels in the case of Kariba, and recurrent breakdowns and coal shortages at its coal-fired power stations.
On 09 December 2022, the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) was generating a total of 438MW from its five power stations.
Hwange was generating 218MW, Kariba 200, Bulawayo 20, Harare 0MW and Munyati 0MW. | <a href="https://insiderzim.com/zesa-owed-14-billion/">The Insider</a>

"ZESA Owed $14 Billion By Consumers"

The total collapse of Kariba South Power Station’s Unit Number 4 following years of neglect, is partly to blame for the ongoing electricity crisis facing Zimbabwe, it has emerged.
While the official narrative is that Kariba South Power Station is currently generating significantly less power than it was producing a few months ago due to depleted water allocations, Unit 4 had been unofficially decommissioned.
NewZimbabwe.com reported a Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) source as saying that the now dysfunctional unit recently broke down beyond repair due to a number of factors. Said the source:
<blockquote>
Yes, the narrative that ZPC has utilised its 2022 water allocation and was ordered by ZRA to suspend power generation is correct.
It must not be taken to be the sole and isolated reason for plunging the nation into darkness.
The crisis we find ourselves in is a result of decades of poor planning and not heeding advice that saw key machinery going for years without major maintenance.
In instances where new spares were needed, engineers were forced to resort to having them poorly machined in South Africa.
Also, there was a massive exodus of qualified personnel to run these plants due to poor salaries, but ZPC did not heed advice to nip the flight of engineers and other key technical staff in the bud.
Resultantly, the power plant was now in the hands of incompetent and inexperienced employees, thereby compromising efficiency.
The end result was the inevitable total shutdown of Unit Number 4, which is now beyond repair.
We depleted our water allocation ahead of Zambia because our machines were not just obsolete and inefficient, but also neglected, full stop!
</blockquote>
The source further claimed that a forensic audit to establish what transpired in the lead-up to the unit’s total collapse is underway. | <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/kariba-water-levels-recede-but-power-stations-unit-4-total-collapse-has-worsened-already-dire-electricity-situation-official/">NewZimbabwe.com</a>

Kariba Power Station’s Unit 4 Broke Down Beyond Repair | Reports

The Harare City Council has advised residents that the current electricity crisis in the country has affected the local authority’s capacity to supply water to residents within the scheduled water rationing scheme.
Load shedding has intensified in the past month with consumers going for at least 18 hours a day without electricity.
The power utility, Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC), is currently generating around 500MW against a peak demand of 2 200MW.
The electricity crisis has been attributed to recurrent breakdowns at the Hwange Thermal Power Station as well as receding water levels at Kariba Dam which supplies water for power generation to Zimbabwe’s only reliable power plant, the Kariba South power station.
In a post on its official social media handle on Monday, the City of Harare said the power cuts have negatively affected the pumping of water to residents. It said:
<blockquote>
The City of Harare wishes to advise all the residents and other stakeholders that the incessant power cuts have affected the scheduled water rationing scheme.
Some parts of the city which receive water through a series of pumping will be greatly affected. Any inconvenience caused is sincerely regretted.
</blockquote>
ZimLive reported a source at Town House as saying the situation is dire as operations at the Morton Jaffrey treatment plant have virtually stalled.
Harare Residents Trust Director Precious Shumba said that water challenges in Harare’s suburbs started long before the current electricity crisis. Said Shumba:
<blockquote>
Electricity challenges have worsened the situation but the root cause of inadequate water supplies is the ageing underground water infrastructure, poor prioritisation of water provision and shortage of water treatment chemicals due to the unavailability of foreign currency.
Most suburbs have been experiencing water shortages for several months now, even before the electricity supplies worsened.
</blockquote>
| <a href="https://www.zimlive.com/power-cuts-worsen-harare-water-woes-as-treatment-works-stall/">ZimLive</a>

Load Shedding Has Disrupted Pumping Of Water, Says Harare Council

Zimbabweans will likely experience longer hours of load shedding as power generation at Kariba Hydro Power Station will be suspended for the remainder of the year due to low water levels at Kariba Dam.
Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) chief executive officer Munyaradzi Munodawafa revealed that the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC), a subsidiary of ZESA Holdings, used more water than it had been allocated, necessitating the closure of the power plant until at least January 2023 to allow the dam to replenish.
Kariba Hydro Power Station is Zimbabwe’s only reliable power plant, as Hwange Thermal Power Station constantly breaks down due to ageing equipment while the other smaller thermal power plants are constantly affected by shortages of coal.
A letter dated 25 November 2022 addressed to the Zimbabwe Power Company by Munodawafa advising the company to shut down the Kariba South Bank Power Station, reads:
<blockquote>
<h2>EXHAUSTION OF 2022 WATER ALLOCATION AND NEED FOR SHUTDOWN OF KARIBA SOUTH BANK POWER STATION TO AVERT RISK OF TOTAL SHUTDOWN OF POWER GENERATION OPERATIONS AT KARIBA</h2>
We refer to the above subject matter as well as to the current Water Purchase Agreement between the Zambezi River Authority, Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC)/Kariba Hydro Power Company (Private) Limited (KHPC) and ZESCO Limited. Further reference is made to the High Level Joint Technical Committee Meetings of 10th and 25 November 2022 held between the parties to the Water Purchase Agreement for Kariba.
Please be advised that as of 25th November 2022, Kariba South Bank Power Station had utilised 23.89 Billion Cubic Meters (BCM) of water, accounting for 1.39 BCM (or 6.16%) above the 2022 water allocation of 22.50 BCM.
Given that the Kariba Reservoir usable storage currently stands at a paltry 2.98 BCM or 4.60% full, and that ZESCO Limited still has a positive balance of 2.44BCM (10.82%) as of 25th November 2022, ZPC/KHPC no longer has any usable water to continue undertaking power generation operations at Kariba South Bank Power Station.
With the current performance of the 2022/2023 rainfall season in the Kariba Lower Catchment where the river flows are yet to improve and the associated inflows from the Upper Kariba Catchment which will only influence any potential increase in the Lake Level at Kariba during the later part of the first quarter of 2023, it is highly unlikely that there will be any reasonable inflow augmentation in the remaining period of the year 2022, giving little or no chance of improvement in the reservoir storage levels during the remaining period of the year 2022 and going into the first quarter of the year 2023.
If the current water utilisation above allocation at Kariba South Bank Power Station continues, the remaining water for power generation at Kariba (live storage) will be out by mid-December 2022 or much earlier.
Guided by the Water Purchase Agreement and the provisions of the ZRA Acts and as the agreed Reservoir Operational Framework under the Joint Technical Committee (JTC), where the Authority and the two Kariba Power Generation Utilities are obligated and have agreed to sustainably operate the reservoir, the Zambezi River Authority is left with no choice but to firmly guide that ZPC/KHPC immediately ensures that generation activities at the South Bank Power Station are wholly suspended henceforth, until January 2023 when a further review of the substantive Hydrological Outlook at Kariba will be undertaken which will include consideration of the total reservoir live storage build-up which would have resulted from a shutdown of the Kariba South Bank Power Station power generation operations.
</blockquote>

Severe Load Shedding Looms As ZRA Tells ZESA To Shut Down Kariba Power Station

Three (3) people died while 14 others were injured when a Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) bus collided with a haulage truck on Saturday night near Gwayi, in Matabeleland North Province.
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson in Mat North Province, Inspector Glory Banda, confirmed the accident which occurred at the 215km peg.
The ZPC bus was reportedly carrying mourners from a funeral in Bulawayo. Insp Banda revealed that the accident was a result of human error. He said:
<blockquote>
I can confirm that on 8 October 2022 at around 7 PM, a fatal road traffic accident involving a bus and a haulage truck occurred at the 215km peg along Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road.
The driver of the haulage truck tried to overtake a tipper truck when he realised that there was an oncoming bus fast approaching and at close range.
To avert the imminent collision the drivers of the haulage truck and the bus simultaneously veered off the road into the bush and in the process, the vehicles collided.
Resultantly two passengers died on the spot and a third one was pronounced dead on arrival at St Luke’s hospital.
Fourteen passengers, who were on board the bus, were admitted to St Luke’s and Hwange Colliery Company hospitals having sustained various injuries.
</blockquote>
Insp Banda urged motorists to follow traffic rules even when doing night driving and also to rest when they feel tired. | <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/death-at-a-funeral-3-mourners-die-in-head-on-collision/">Chronicle</a>

Three Mourners Killed As Bus Collides With Haulage Truck

The Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) has managed to restore to service two units at Hwange Power Station that have been down for several days resulting in extended load-shedding.
In recent days, Zimbabweans in some parts of the country had to endure more than 12 hours a day without electricity after the 110MW Unit 3 and the 210MW Unit 6 came off-grid.
In an interview with State media in Kariba, Energy and Power Development permanent secretary Gloria Magombo said the two units had been restored to service. Said Magombo:
<blockquote>
We had lost two units at Hwange Power Station and I am happy that I got an update that production has been restored. The situation has to improve to our normal levels by the weekend.
The first to be restored was Unit 6 on Wednesday and I got an update that Unit 3 has also been restored.
</blockquote>
Magombo said the power supply situation is expected to improve by November when production begins at Hwange with the completion of Unit 7.
Unit 7 will be generating 300MW and Unit 8, which is expected to come on stream in early 2023, is also expected to generate 300MW. | <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/two-hwange-units-up/">The Herald</a>

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