ZESA surpasses first quarter power target

Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC), a unit of power utility ZESA Holdings, said yesterday it produced 1.751 gigawatt hours, exceeding its first quarter power generation target for the period by 2.35 percent.

ZPC is the country’s sole power generator, running two major power stations and three small thermals.

Over 15 independent power producers have also been licensed to improve production, but most are yet to commence operations due to funding constraints.

“The production target for the period was surpassed by 2.35 percent due to production at Kariba Power Station which was fairly smooth during the quarter and was maintained at an average above the allocated 285 megawatts to compensate for the general system power shortages that were experienced during the quarter,” ZPC managing director Noah Gwariro said in an update.

Gwariro said upgrades at Hwange thermal power station had brought down the number of system trips to zero, down from four in the previous quarter.

He said works at the $354 million Kariba South Extension project, expected to be completed in 2018, was 45 percent complete, with financial closure for the Hwange expansion projected expected by end of October.

Other projects such as Gairezi hydro and Harare thermal repowering were at various stages of implementation, he said.

“As we look ahead into the year, we remain focused on our strategic priorities which are: to ensure profitable growth through customers and expansion, ensure customer satisfaction, and to improve operational and process efficiency,” Gwariro said.

Zimbabwe has in recent times struggled to meet power demand, and has had to rely on imports to address shortages that have affected industry and households. However, power demand is now waning as much of industry slows down.- The Source

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