ZPC in expansion drive

By Ndakaziva Majaka

The Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) is set to invest $45,6 million towards procurement of transformers and other accessories to fund a transmission and distribution programme, with an additional $29,5 million earmarked for extension of the electricity grid to new settlements.

Finance minister Patrick Chinamasa last week said the power company is also set to spend $13,4 million on development costs for the Alaska–Karoi transmission line, as the company moves to implement projects to plug the country’s over 1000MW power deficit.

“In addition, the Zim-Fund Phase II of the Emergency Power Rehabilitation Project will avail $9,1 million towards procurement and installation of grid transformers for the Marvel and Chatsey transmission line.

“$5,6 million will be pumped into rehabilitation of the Prince Edward sub-Station, $2,6 million into the Orange Groove — Sherwood transmission line,” he said, presenting his 2017 National Budget last week.

Other projects prioritised for implementation in 2017 include $36,9 million for procurement of prepaid meters for 44 000 large consumers and 50 331 ordinary customers under the prepayment system.

Chinamasa said $36,8 million was also going to be channelled towards extending the grid to 450 institutions under the Rural Electrification Agency programme, with a further $300 000 for construction of 41 stand-alone solar micro-grid plants for identified public institutions.

“$1 million budgetary resources will also be put into targeting construction of 48 biogas digesters at public institutions,” he added. Daily News