Hwange unit 7 to come on stream on 16 March, three other units down, producing only 77 MW instead of 440

Mr. Speaker, the same policy comes with some incentives especially to the private sector knowing that Government alone cannot carry the load.  The private sector has been invited to participate, especially in the area of power generation, which they can sell to the power utility as the off-taker or directly to consumers of their preference.  So, we have a whole policy that speaks to how we shall transition to clean energy sources that are mostly renewable.

We are also exploring potential for gas to energy that can be done within the country, especially with the prospects of getting gas from Muzarabani.  All that is being worked on Mr. Speaker Sir, as a way of diversifying our energy mix.  I thank you.

HON. T. MLISWA:  On a point of order Mr. Speaker Sir.  The Hon. Minister was not asked about the Renewable Energy Policy, he was asked about the implementation…

THE HON. SPEAKER:  Order, order!  You do not argue that way, ask a supplementary question.

HON. T. MLISWA:  Hon. Minister, can you tell this august House, how many megawatts have been achieved through the renewable energy projects that you are talking about?

HON. SODA:  Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.  Inasmuch as the question requires some research, I will provide the response.  We have around 90 licenced investments on renewables of which 20 have been developed.  The 20 are providing between 68 to 96 megawatts which is being supplied to the grid.  I thank you.

HON. HOUGHTON:  Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.  My supplementary question is that I was informed earlier this week that …

THE HON. SPEAKER:  Order, order!  Can we hear the Hon. Member!

HON. HOUGHTON:  I was informed that three of the turbines at the Kariba South Power Station have failed now.  Is there any truth in that?  Thank you Sir.

HON. SODA:  Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.  Apparently, they are not three; there are four units that are not on service at Kariba Power Station.  This is as a result of annual maintenance that is being undertaken.

The Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) has just taken advantage of the low water allocations that are being provided by the ZRA at Kariba.  They are utilising that window to do their annual maintenance.  Currently, we have four that are on service but they cannot also use them all given the water allocations.  We have three that are ready and producing 350 megawatts and one is on standby which has not been dismantled but four have been dismantled for the purposes of annual maintenance.  I thank you.

THE HON. SPEAKER:  We have had four supplementary questions now, so we cannot have more than four supplementary questions.

HON. GONESE: On a point of order Mr. Speaker Sir.

THE HON. SPEAKER: A point of order when there is no debate, honestly!

HON. GONESE: It is not debate but it is a proposal Mr. Speaker, that since it is an issue which affects our nation, if the Hon. Minister could be asked to make a Ministerial Statement so that all issues relating to the generation of electricity to the challenges which are being faced by the industry  can then be addressed. I thank you.

THE HON. SPEAKER: Thank you very much Hon. Gonese. My judgment tells me that the Hon. Minister has covered key issues and I do not think there is need for a Ministerial Statement.

(128 VIEWS)