NAMIBIA power utility, Nampower, is expected to invest nearly $180 million to finance expansion projects at Harare and Bulawayo thermal power stations.

Bernard Mpofu

According to the Zimbabwe Power Company — a unit of State-owned power company, Zesa, Nampower has expressed keen interest in increasing generation capacity of the two power stations to 120MW as the country continues to grapple with power outages.

“The Namibian Power generation unit, Nampower, has once again shown interest in partnering with Zimbabwe to improve the local power situation. In August this year, a delegation from Namibia visited Zimbabwe Power Company and expressed their interest in funding the Harare and Bulawayo projects,” ZPC said.

“It will take about 24 months to complete. Harare Power Station will have a firm capacity of 120MW from the current 50MW, while Bulawayo’s firm capacity will increase from 30 MW to 90 MW.”

The repowering project will see the replacement of the current boiler technology with a circulating fluidised bed which was more efficient and cost effective.
The Harare repowering project, according to ZPC, went to tender earlier this year and was currently in the adjudication process.

“Harare power station is strategically located to supply power directly to industry in Harare and of late its dependable capacity had declined due to problems on the machines. This meant a gap had emerged thereby creating a deficit of power. The coming in of TA/2 with 30MW will help to reduce the power deficit currently affecting the nation and will ensure a dependable capacity to industries in Harare,” ZPC managing director Noah Gwariro said.

Nampower is a strategic partner to Zimbabwe and in 2007 funded the $40 million refurbishment of Hwange Power Station.

The power station, according to ZPC, now has all six units running and was generating 600MW out of its installed capacity of 920MW. The Nampower debt, according to Zesa was expected to be cleared later this month.

Zesa has been clearing that debt through power exports to Nampower.

Zimbabwe has a daily peak demand of 2200MW against supply of 1 200MW.

Turning to the expansion of Kariba hydro power station, Gwariro said the design review was in progress while the final report was expected by month end.