Power generation drops to 975 megawatts

Zimbabwe’s electricity generation yesterday dropped to 975 megawatts after two power stations, Harare and Bulawayo, were shut down after developing system disturbances, the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) said.

Zimbabwe has been experiencing intensified countrywide power outages since the country’s main electricity plant, Kariba Hydro, had its output capped at 475MW, down from a peak of 705MW due to lower dam water levels.

In an update, ZPC indicated that Bulawayo and Harare Power Stations were shut down following system disturbances.

Hwange Thermal Power, the second largest power producer, was producing 540MW against an installed capacity of 920MW while Kariba was producing 407MW against its capped output of 475 MW.

Munyati was producing 28MW.

ZPC also imports 300MW from South Africa’s Eskom to augment its scarce resources.

The drop in electricity levels comes after the power utility, ZESA, has applied for a 22 percent tariff increase to the Zimbabwe Energy and Regulatory Authority (ZERA), a development economists say will further strain already struggling businesses in the country and push other cost drivers up.

Currently, ZERA is undertaking stakeholder consultations on a proposed electricity tariff hike with Energy and Power Development Minister Samuel Undenge indicating there was no going back on the increase as ZESA had to finance urgently required power generating projects.-The Source

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