More
    HomeFeaturesFeature UNIT 7and 8: Hwange Power Station expansion project

    Feature UNIT 7and 8: Hwange Power Station expansion project

    Published on

    spot_img

    It only took five years for the Second Republic to refurbish and expand the leading thermal
    power station which was built 40 years ago. Before expansion the country faced serious
    power black outs and outages, a situation which was affecting the nation economically.
    But, in 2018 the Second Republic under President Emmerson Mnangagwa, a
    groundbreaking ceremony was held to kick start the expansion of Hwange Power station
    which came with the introduction of new units, Unit 7 and 8 as well as the refurbishment of
    Unit 1-6.
    Built at a cost of about US$1,5 billion by a Chinese contractor, the expansion project brought
    a lifeline to the aged Hwange power station.
    The constructed two new units, Hwange 7 and 8, will add a combined 600MW which will add
    to the existing 920 MW from unit 1-6.
    However, the expansion project of the Hwange Unit 7 and 8 did not only benefit the nation
    on power generation but has given the community of Hwange hope.
    Job Creation
    More than 50 000 people from both the local community and international community directly
    benefited from the project through employment and provision of various supplies.
    A Chinese Contractor Sino hydro employed a number of the Hwange community, as
    Engineers, Machine operators as well as Plant operators.
    Provision of water.
    The expansion of the power station came with the need of upgrading a 42km pipeline which
    will create a redundancy for the existing water supply system to Hwange power station for
    sustainable power generation. This has benefitted communities along the pipeline who now
    have constant water supplies.
    The upgrade led to the construction of a new pipeline from Deka river to Hwange town, and
    rehabilitation of the existing pumping station.
    The pipeline has increased the current water supply from 3500m3 to 6000 m3 per hour
    which will meet the demand of water in Hwange thermal power plant as well as the
    surrounding areas.
    According to Chief Hwange, Communities in ward 10 and 9 will benefit from the water
    supply. The project will also mean job creation for the communities.
    Water shortage in Hwange communities will soon be over. It is a great opportunity for the
    community of Hwange, the establishment of the 42km of the pipe means Hwange will soon
    be a green belt which will also see schools, a clinic and a dip tank benefiting from the water
    according to Chief Hwange.
    Relocation Action Plan
    The expansion of the Hwange Power station meant that there was a need for more space for
    new transmission lines.

    ZPC is also engaged in the construction of homes under the Relocation Action Plan (RAP), a
    compensatory housing project for the community whose homes were affected by the new
    transmission line for the Hwange Expansion Project.
    A total 72 houses will be built while some have already been handed over to affected
    families. Some 29 houses at Hope Fountain were commissioned to the affected areas which
    consist of a three-roomed main structure made up of a lounge and two bedrooms.
    In Ingagula township more than 400 households next to ZPC power station will require
    relocation to avoid air pollution from the electricity generation activities.
    The Hwange Local Board has given ZPC land and ZIM BUILD, a construction company, has
    already started to build the houses for the families who are yet to relocate from Ingagula
    suburbs.
    Local Business Opportunity.
    Farmers from the surrounding areas in Hwange are benefitting from the project. The high number of
    employment has paved a way for more business opportunities. Vegetable farmers have an increased
    clientele. The international community working on the expansion prefers chicken which in return is
    good business for those in the Chicken business.
    Rural Electrification
    The expansion project has brought a massive socio –economic transformation. In addition to
    contributing to the national grid, a number of rural schools have been electrified, an achievement
    which has been long overdue, thanks to the Second Republic.
    VISION 2030
    The project’s positive impact dovetails with the Second Republics drive to transform
    Zimbabwe into an upper middle-income economy by 2030.
    It is a critical economic enabler beyond increased power generation, the project has
    increased coal production in the mining industry.

    Latest articles

    Herentals college in soup for running Gweru campus without registration

    Harare, (New Ziana) – Prominent private educational institution, Herentals College has been fined $300...

    Zim celebrates Global Money Week 2025 with focus on financial empowerment

    Harare, (New Ziana) –Zimbabwe joined the rest of the world on Friday in observing...

    Zimbabwe committed to deepen ties with India

    Harare, (New Ziana) -Zimbabwe is committed to strengthening military cooperation with India building on...

    Zimbabwe aims to tap into $1.3 trillion meat market boom

    Bulawayo, (New Ziana) – Zimbabwe can tap into the growing global meat market, which...

    More like this

    Herentals college in soup for running Gweru campus without registration

    Harare, (New Ziana) – Prominent private educational institution, Herentals College has been fined $300...

    Zim celebrates Global Money Week 2025 with focus on financial empowerment

    Harare, (New Ziana) –Zimbabwe joined the rest of the world on Friday in observing...

    Zimbabwe committed to deepen ties with India

    Harare, (New Ziana) -Zimbabwe is committed to strengthening military cooperation with India building on...