ZPC and Nampower are on the verge of signing a power deal that will unlock a $160 million loan from Stanbic South Africa to finance development costs relating to expansion of Kariba South
The Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) is set to undertake a $1 million upgrade of one of its six generators at Kariba South Power Station in December. Kariba hydropower station, which is said to be the country’s most reliable power station, produces 750MW. The power station’s acting general manager, Engineer Charles Bhebhe, said the other five generators had already been upgraded, with equipment acquired from France.
“We have been modernising the systems and only one generator is left,” Eng Bhebhe said during a tour of the plant.
He said shutting down of the generator targeted for December 8, meant Kariba would be producing 125MW less as each of the Kariba’s six generators produces 125MW.
Eng Bhebhe said the upgrades made the generator’s governing system more efficient and reliable.
He said the power station, built between 1956 and 1960, was currently providing about 50 percent of the country’s power needs.
Zimbabwe is currently reeling from power shortages as power demand continues to outstrip supply.
ZPC is currently undertaking a $400 million extension of its power plant, which is being financed by the Chinese.
A tour of the new plant, which currently employs over 300 people, revealed that a lot of ground had been covered in making sure the plant is completed ahead of the 2017 deadline.
The new plant will generate an additional 300MW.
Workers at the new plant are currently drilling underground access paths to where the plant would be situated. President Mugabe officiated at the ground breaking ceremony for the plant in September.
Energy and Power Development permanent secretary Partson Mbiriri said caution was being taken in undertaking the access paths blasting and drilling due to its close proximity to the Kariba Dam wall.
“There is need to create a building under the hill where the two 150MW plants will be housed,” he said.
“The blasts (under the mountain) are, however, controlled because it is being done close to the Kariba Dam wall.”
Mr Mbiriri said ZPC had already begun drawing down on the Chinese loan to finance the project. – New Ziana.