Govt in bid to increase power output
http://www.theindependent.co.zw/
Thursday, 07 July 2011 21:12
Chris Muronzi
GOVERNMENT had by the end of the first half of this year advanced around
US$31,9 million towards rehabilitation of power stations in a bid to
increase energy output, information seen by the Zimbabwe Independent shows.
Finance minister Tendai Biti hopes by channelling more funds into the energy
sector, electricity output that stood at 1 362 megawatts (MW) last month
could be increased at the country’s power stations.
The money went into Hwange Power station (HPS), three small thermal power
stations and the rehabilitation of transmission and distribution network.
According to the information, Biti channelled US$26 million towards the
rehabilitation of Hwange Power Station, US$500 000 for three small thermal
power stations and US$5 million for the rehabilitation of the transmission
and distribution networks.
But despite government’s intervention in the sector, output remains low.
According to the information, Hwange Power Station, Kariba Power Station,
Harare Thermal Power Station, Munyati Thermal Power Station and Bulawayo
Thermal Tower Station have an installed capacity of 1 920MW.
Although output is still below national demand of 2 200MW, production has
been rising steadily from a total 988MW in January to 1 363MW in June.
Output at Hwange Power Station rose from 335MW in January to 625MW in June.
Hwange Power Station has an installed capacity of 920MW. Output at Kariba
Power Station declined from March’s peak of 711MW to 659 MW in June. Kariba
has an installed capacity of 750MW.
Although Munyati and Harare have installed capacity of 80MW each, the
stations operated way below installed capacities for the better part of the
half year. Harare produced 22MW in June, the highest since January, while
Munyati rose to 34MW in June from 28MW in January. Munyati produced 16 MW in
February.
Bulawayo Thermal Power Station struggled in the same period. The station’s
output rose from 17MW in February to 22MW in June. Output fell sharply in
April and May to 8 MW.
While the rehabilitation exercise enabled all the power plants to be
functional, most of the equipment is unreliable and leads to irregular
supplies, the information shows.
The US$5,4 million channelled towards rehabilitation of transmission and
distribution of power networks has been utilised for the acquisition of
transformers.
Biti, according to the same information, has channelled US$7,5 million to
local authorities.
He also channelled US$17 million for the grain procurement, capitalisation
of Agribank and irrigation infrastructure rehabilitation.
Of the US$17 million, US$2 million was spent on rehabilitation and
development of 37 schemes out 63 schemes targeted in the budget.
A total US$19,67 million has been disbursed by treasury to cater for
establishment costs and equipment of Tokwe Mukorsi Dam. Government sees work
commencing at the dam this month.
Whilst there has largely been improvement in the implementation of some
government projects, according to the information more needs to be done by
government to ensure government adheres to its own set targets.