Zimbabwe braces for more blackouts

By Shiana Mhizha

Electricity customers countrywide are expected to experi­ence increased load-shed­ding over the next three months after Zesa Holdings began mandatory and routine main­tenance work at Hwange Thermal Power Station.

The spokesperson for the power utility, Mr Fullard Gwasira, told The Sunday Mail that the major mainte­nance work, which began yesterday, will affect the normal power supply schedule.

He said a total of 160 megawatts (MW) will be lost to the national grid. The power station generates an opti­mum of 500 MW and is expected to produce 600 MW after the exer­cise.

“Zesa Holdings would like to advise all its customers countrywide that Hwange Power Station will be undergo­ing its scheduled mandatory statutory maintenance to ensure the continued operational efficiency of that gener­ating asset,” he said.

“The scheduled maintenance will com­mence on Satur­day 11 August 2012 (yesterday) and be completed in November 2012. During this period, a total of 160 MW will be lost to the national grid.”

Mr Gwasira said alternative arrangements have already been made with other regional utilities to augment sup­plies. However, such supplies may not be availed during peak times.

“As a result, load-shedding may intensify and we may be forced to depart from the publicised load-shedding schedules. Consumers are urged to use the available electricity sparingly to alleviate the extent and duration of load-shedding during this period.”

Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Power Com­pany (ZPC) has entered into a skills develop­ment and partnership pro­gramme with Indian power company Wapcos. ZPC man­aging director Mr Noah Gwatidzo last week revealed that the Indian company is training local technicians and engi­neers.

“The Indians are training our engineers and technicians at our power stations so that they will be able to run these power stations professionally,” he said.