Zim set to generate adequate power by June 2023

Zim Now Writer

Zimbabwe’s power situation is set to improve in the second half of the year when the new units at Hwange Thermal Power Station come online and also the Zambezi River Authority increases water allocation for power generation at Kariba Hydro-electric Power Station, Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company acting managing director Howard Choga has said.

“We are expecting Kariba South to generate around 775MW from the current 350MW following an anticipated water level improvement from May.

“Also, we are expecting Hwange 7 and 8 to add 600MW to the current 324 to reach above 1000MW.

Choga bemoaned the absence of a cost-reflective tariff to ensure the power utility’s viability. He said:

“There is a need for a glide path to cost reflectivity, 100% payment of electricity in US$, deduct electricity bills amount – before 75% surrender ratio, recapitalise the industry network reinforcement and rehabilitation for the good operation of the power utility,”.

“With these probable solutions implemented, this could see the power utility performing well. We hope the authorities will take these recommendations to improve the running of the company,” said Choga.

Zimbabwe, like most countries in the region such as South Africa and Zambia, has been experiencing a huge power deficit caused by reduced transmission owing to frequent breakdowns at Hwange and ow generation capacity at Kariba as a result of low water levels.