RioZim power plant ready in 2014
03/03/2011 00:00:00
by Business Reporter
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MINING group RioZim expects to produce its first electricity from the
planned 2 400 MW Sengwa coal power plant by 2014, a senior official said on
Thursday.
The company also expects to seal a strategic partnership deal for the
$3-billion plant in May.
“We should have the first 600 MW unit on site by 2014 with the last unit
completed by 2020. Zimbabwe is desperate for power,” MD Josphat Sachikonye
told Reuters.
Zimbabwe, which relies heavily on its mining industry to prop up an economy
struggling to overcome years of decline, is battling a chronic power
shortage which has curbed output.
The national power utility, ZSEA, has resorted to rationing supplies to both
domestic and commercial users with some major companies such as Zimplats
opting to import directly from the region to ensure production is not
undermined.
Domestic power generation currently stands at around 1200MW against a
national demand of 2200 MW with efforts to plug the gap with imports stymied
by the lack of funds.
ZESA is said to owe regional suppliers up to US$140 million.
Rio Zim’s plant, which will exploit coal resources in the country’s Gokwe
area, is one of a number of projects authorities expect to help ease the
country power crisis