From George Maponga in Masvingo

THE construction of a 15-megawatt hydro power plant at Tugwi-Mukosi Dam in Chivi is set to start soon, with the Government having already identified a contractor for the project.

The power project is expected to cost approximately US$20 million with a capacity to light up the whole of Masvingo.

Power generation at the dam is one of several anchor projects identified as low-hanging fruits that could be developed for immediate national economic gain.

Chairperson of the Inter-ministerial committee on the Tugwi-Mukosi master plan,who is also Agriculture,Lands Water and Rural Resettlement Dr Anxious Masuka said work on the power project would be on board soon.

Speaking during a recent tour of the dam to assess various projects Dr Masuka said loose ends of the deal were on the verge of being tied paving way for building work to kick-off.

“The 15 megawatt power plant will be on board soon and there will be an urgent meeting with between contractor and Government so that work can start,” said Dr Masukua.

The power plant was incorporated in the design of the Tugwi-Mukosi Dam wall that was built by Salini Impregilo.

The mini-hydro power plant will be stationed in a power house that was built together with the dam wall and indications are that feasibility studies for the project will be ready by the end of the year.

Government has set a target to make Zimbabwe a net power exporter by 2023 by tapping into the hydro, thermal and solar power potential of the country.

Besides a power plant, other anchor projects at Tugwi-Mukosi that could be immediately developed include construction of a dry harbour to enable recreational shipping to dock, a navigation mast and upgrading the road linking the dam wall and the harbour.

Feasibility study for a planned game park in the dam’s buffer zone is also underway with communities adjacent the water body expected to benefit under the Communal Areas Management Programme for Indigenous Resources (CAMPFIRE) model.