Power Shortages: Govt blames old machinery at Hwange
The government has blamed old machinery at Hwange Thermal Power Station for the current power challenges being experienced in the country.
This is even though President Emmerson Mnangagwa in his 2018 election manifesto promised reliable power to the citizens and industry.
Unreliable power supplies have seen the country’s power utility Zesa instituting load shedding in both residential and industrial areas.
The unannounced load shedding is reportedly affecting production with some companies having to switch to generators.
Economists say when companies operate on generators, the cost of producing goods also goes up.
Answering a question in the Senate from Senator Hungwe who wanted to know when the reason behind load shedding, the Deputy Minister of Energy Magna Mudyiwa said Hwange was to blame
‘’These days we are experiencing power shortages. It is because we are facing challenges at Hwange Thermal Power Station, where we get the bulk of the electricity which we get from three generators operating or two at other times and with the worst-case scenario, we would have none of the generators generating electricity.
‘’Our machinery at Hwange is old and obsolete. It has several challenges it faces, hence sometimes you observe that we are forced to load shed certain areas so that some areas can receive electricity. Be that as it may, our engineers are busy in Hwange ensuring that they are on top of the situation and ensuring that we get the necessary units up on the grid.
‘’At the moment, we have two or three units that are up on the grid and hence from 450MW that is supposed to be raised from Hwange, we can get to less than 200MW. So, to cover for that deficit, it will become difficult because, during this winter period, the demand for electricity is high,’’ she said.
Load shedding also affecting winter wheat
Load shedding also not spared wheat farmers who require electricity for irrigation.
The deputy minister said she is aware of the challenges being faced by the wheat farmers and that her ministry is working to ensure they get supplies.
‘’I appreciate the predicament of the wheat farmers. We are trying as best as we can to ensure that our wheat farmers constantly get electricity but at times some of the things may be beyond our control.
‘’We are trying as much as possible to ensure that they get electricity at most times,’’ she said.
Power Shortages: Govt blames old machinery at Hwange
