Published: 28 October 2013

Zimbabwe Power Company is working on a number of new generation and expansion projects worth an estimated $5,7 billion to boost supply.

Zimbabwe is battling a perennial power shortage of over 800MW which has seen load shedding being made a permanent feature.

ZPC managing director Mr Noah Gwariro told New Ziana the projects, most of which would be completed within the next 10 years, had a total generation capacity of 6 600MW.

"Of all the projects, the forerunner is Kariba South extension. This project is a priority and is also on the government's top priority list and we are happy that next year we will start building," he said.

Expansion of Kariba is expected to cost around $400 million, with the design for the expansion set to be completed by end of this month.

The project, which will add anothr 600MW to the national grid, will take up to 45 months to complete.

Mr Gwariro said the utility was also upgrading its smaller thermal power stations at a cost of over $200 million.

The power generating company is also eyeing solar projects which will produce 300MW and will cost around $400 million.

"The solar projects will take between nine to 12 months," the ZPC boss said, adding the initial project for 100MW had already been tendered. This is free energy and we want to harness it," he added.


- New Ziana

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