Load shedding due to lack of funds -Zesa
May 29, 2011 2:46 PM | By VLADIMIR MZACA
Longer power cuts have become the order of the day in winter at a time when
the national power utility Zesa is importing less electricity from the
Democratic Republic of Congo.
With the encroaching winter the demand for electricity will go up on the
home, farming and industrial front.
But Zesa has increased its load shedding too, because it is failing to
import adequate power.
“We are unfortunately importing less electricity at a time when the demand
is high. This is because we do not have enough money,” said Zesa’s public
relations manager Fulhard Gwasira.
The power utility is owed more than US$450-million in unpaid bills, and its
power stations are not operating at full capacity.
“There is no alternative for load shedding at this point. We are not
generating enough electricity. Zimbabwe needs 2 200 megawatts a day and
right now we are generating 1 300 megawatts. If people pay their bills we
might be able to import more electricity,” Gwasira said.
Wheat farmers are also expecting a constant supply of electricity, and
without it the winter crop is doomed.
Farmers raised concerns that if they failed to get a constant supply of
power they would abandon their projects.
In a bid to avert such a scenario Zesa has come up with a timetable for
farmers.
“We have allocated 162 megawatts three days per week for the farmers. We
have grouped them according to their geographical clusters in the interest
of food security and the economy. It is not enough but it will at least get
us somewhere,” Gwasira said.
Investing in a generator for city dwellers and businesses has become a must.
In urban areas, such as the two big cities Harare and Bulawayo, power cuts
are even done during the day, making it difficult for small businesses.
Restaurants, cafes, computer shops and just about anyone who needs
electricity to conduct business are now buying generators as power backup in
case of blackouts.
“Without a generator what I store in my refrigerator would go bad and that
would affect my business,” said Dumisani Kodzayi, who runs a chain of
restaurants in Bulawayo.
At times the big cities are plunged into darkness at night and night clubs
have also invested in generators to stay in business.