The end of load-shedding has been proclaimed by the Zimbabwe energy Supply Authority (ZESA), which claims that the nation can now produce enough energy from its power plants with only a little amount of imports to fulfil demand from home and industrial users.
According to ZESA, the country’s load-shedding has been significantly decreased as a result of the increased power generating capacity, and the productive sector has been enthused since it can now plan its operations and ensure successful industry outcomes.
The power utility says the successful implementation and completion of Hwange Thermal Power Station Units 7 and 8 expansion projects, coupled with the establishment of solar parks by Independent Power Producers (IPPs) and improved output from Kariba Hydro-Power Station, has recently pushed total domestic generation capacity above 1,500MW, which is a significant improvement as compared to less than 600MW in March this year.
In a recent interview in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe Energy Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) acting managing director, Engineer Howard Choga, said given the milestone improvement in power generation and supply, there is no need for a load-shedding schedule. The Chronicle cites him as saying:
You will notice that in the past two to three weeks, we have not been shedding at all, therefore, under those circumstances, there will be no need to have a load-shedding schedule.
Our projection is that we are not going to be shedding going forward, at least in the medium term. If we are not shedding it means we are getting enough for the consumers.
At the moment we are getting 100 megawatts from South Africa, and from Mozambique, we have two sources that is Hidroeléctrica de Cahora Bassa (HCB) of Mozambique, which is giving us 50MW and EDM 10MW. That’s enough for the demand in the country.
ZESA’s recent announcement has come as a relief to the business community, which had opted for expensive diesel generators or incurred long hours of no production due to load-shedding.
The improved power situation is expected to guarantee enhanced production and supply of goods, and is a significant departure from the acute power shortages experienced in the past years, which have crippled the economy.
