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Energy and Power Development Minister Elton Mangoma said the other four electricity generating companies were next year expected to begin work on the establishment of their power stations.

“We had some companies expressing interest in establishing power stations and five serious companies have been granted licenses,” said Minister Mangoma in an interview.

He said the licensed companies were both local and foreign while the 2 500 megawatts power stations was a joint venture between locals and foreign companies.
“Most people will be happy when they see the clearing of the ground a sign showing that the independent producers are starting work on the creation of the power stations.

“Right now they (independent producers) have started planning and mobilising resources and before the end of the year the groundwork on the establishment of a 2 500 megawatts power station is set to start,” he said. Currently, the country’s electricity demand is at 2 200 megawatts but the figure is set to increase as most companies are operating at levels of 43, 7 percent and targeting to reach 60 percent before the end of the year.

The increase in industrial capacity utilisations means that industry will need more electricity to run its operations but the power utility’s generation capacity is at 1 200 megawatts and expected to increase to about 1 500 megawatts after the refurbishing of Bulawayo, Harare and Munyati thermal power stations.

The building of five power stations is set to reduce power shortages.
Meanwhile, Minister Mangoma said the establishment of an electricity regulator had sailed through the Lower House and was expected to be discussed by the Upper House when it resumes its sitting.
Minister Mangoma said he hoped that the process would be completed before the end of the month.-Chronicle