Hwange PPP Receives Greenlight

 

The government has officially approved a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) with Jindal (Private) Limited, an Indian firm, to rehabilitate Units 1 to 6 of Hwange Power Station.

The Cabinet-approved deal aims to significantly increase the country’s electricity supply and reduce load shedding, according to a post-Cabinet briefing.

The project, structured under a Rehabilitate, Operate and Transfer model, will see Jindal invest US$450 million to repower the aging units over a four-year period. 

The six units, originally commissioned between 1983 and 1989 with a combined capacity of 920 MW, have been operating at a fraction of their potential, producing between 300 MW and 600 MW on average.

The refurbishment will involve replacing critical equipment, including turbines and generators, to restore full output.

Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr. Jenfan Muswere said the revival of the power station’s first six units is a crucial step towards ensuring a reliable power supply for both industries and households.

“Reliable power will enable sustained production, boost industrial output, enhance economic activity, and create jobs,” Dr. Muswere said.

The deal, now in its final stages of negotiation, is part of a broader government strategy to achieve energy self-sufficiency and cut reliance on expensive electricity imports from neighbouring countries such as Zambia, Mozambique, and South Africa. 

This is expected to save millions of US dollars monthly.

The project complements the recent commissioning of Hwange Units 7 and 8 in 2023, which added 600 MW to the national grid. Further negotiations are ongoing to ensure the partnership serves the national interest.