Hwange Units 7 and 8 are being intermittently swit...

Hwange Units 7 and 8 are being intermittently switched off: ZETDC

Zim Now Writer

Zesa Holdings subsidiary, the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company says the intermittent power outages being experienced countrywide are a result of the tests on Hwange Thermal power Station’s Unit 7 and 8.

In a statement of their official Twitter handle today, ZETDC said: “We wish to advise our valued stakeholders that the Hwange Unit 7 and 8 commissioning works are going on well with all comprehensive commissioning tests being followed.

“Consequently, we are treading cautiously on the technical aspects so that we commercially operate robust generators.

“The evaluation of systems is a continuous process thus there will be intermittent switching off of the units as and when necessary leading to a temporary shortfall in supply,” said the electricity transmission company.

ZETDC said the current tests have shown that they will meet the Commercial Operation Dates for the contractual handover of the units, adding that there are indications that the two units have been built well.

“We commit to ceaselessly implement all the necessary steps to address the nation’s power shortage issues, expand capacity, and enhance service delivery,” ZETDC added.

Zimbabwe has been experiencing power deficits occasioned by the antiquated equipment at Hwange and Kariba Hydro Power Station while the latter’s generation capacity had been compromised by low water levels on the Zambezi River.

On the other hand, the shortage of foreign currency often limited power imports for the country, which used to get power from South Africa’s Eskom and M0ozambique’s Electricidade de Moçambique.