Power output improves

Harare (New Ziana) – Electricity supply has improved since Monday this week with the return to service of an additional unit at Hwange Power Station, while further improvements are expected with imports from regional utilities and as more units come back online.
The Zimbabwe Electricity, Transmission and Distribution Company (Zetdc) recently introduced a brutal load shedding schedule in response to depressed generation capacity.
But, in a statement the Zetdc said the situation was gradually improving.
“The utility is pleased to advise of an improvement of generation at Hwange Power station after the return to service of unit number five on Monday, 13th September, 2021. The unit has improved the station output by an additional 150 MW,” the Zetdc said.
“The total power supply currently available is ranging from 1 240MW to 1 600 MW against an average demand forecast of about 1 735MW. This gives an average power deficit range of 145-500MW depending on imports availability and local generation performance. The power supply gap is being managed through load shedding in order to avert system collapse.”
The power company said several mitigation measures were being pursued.
The power utility said it was currently negotiating with power utilities in Mozambique and Zambia for a possible supply of 280MW beginning October 2021.
“The winter wheat crop is now maturing and largely in the final stages of grain filling, it is expected that the early planted crop is in harvesting stage, leaving only the late planted crop being anticipated to be irrigated in the month of October. Hence the power utility is expecting a significant reduction (+/-75MW) in irrigation load by the end of October.
“An additional 60.5MW from internal thermal and solar independent power producer projects is also expected to be added to the national grid by end of December 2021. Generator number one at Kariba (125MW) which has been on annual maintenance since 13 August, 2021, is expected to be back in service on the 24th of September 2021,” the company said.
“Whilst generator number six at Hwange Power station which was taken out due to boiler tube leaks is expected to return to service on 23 September 2021. A total of 270MW is therefore expected to be available from the two machines that are currently out of service by the end of the month.”
Zetdc said during this difficult period, priority was being given to the productive sectors of the economy.
New Ziana