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Business Reporter

THE Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) will start constructing a 120 megawatt emergency diesel power plant in Mutare in June as part of measures to beef up power supply during peak periods.The country requires 2,200MW daily against domestic generation of less than 1,000MW, according to yesterday’s statistics.

“ZPC is working towards establishing a 120MW Peaking Emergency Power Plant in Mutare, which will be used to meet electricity demand during peak periods.

This project is expected to commence in June 2016,” ZPC managing director, Noah Gwariro said in a statement.

He could not disclose the value of the proposed project but said their strategy would be inclined towards building and utilising internal capacity as much as possible.

“We’ll continuously engage all relevant stakeholders in order to derive maximum quality service and value,” he said.

Gwariro said expansion projects were a key priority for ZPC.

“We remain committed towards their successful completion.

The Kariba South Extension project is progressing well, and is currently at 41 percent from date of implementation.

All audit excavations have been completed, and manufacturing of electro-mechanical equipment is in progress in China.

“Some of the equipment has already been delivered to site, forexample, the crane rail which was delivered in January and is being installed in the turbine house.

“Draft tube material has also been delivered to site and is being assembled,” he said.

Expansion work expected to see Hwange Thermal Power Station having two additional units (Unit 7 and 8) was also being carried out.

Atpresent, topographical surveys and geotechnical works for the power plant have been completed.

It is hoped that upon completion of the expansion project the thermal power station will produce an additional 600MW into the national grid.

“Geotechnical works for transmission works are in progress and ZPC is working towards fulfilling conditions precedent to receive the first drawdown of the loan facility from China Exim Bank,” he said.

“The Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) contracts for all solar power plants (3x100MW) were signed towards the end of last year.

Feasibility studies have been completed in Gwanda and we’re currently working towards financial closure.”

Gwariro said his company was also working on repowering the small thermal power stations.

He said contract negotiations were taking place for the Munyati repowering project, and fundraising for the Harare Power Station is in progress.

“Bulawayo Power Station received an $87 million line of credit from the India Exim Bank in October last year and we await the list of pre-qualified companies to be sent to the government of Zimbabwe by India Exim Bank, thereafter the project will undergo a competitive bidding process through the government of Zimbabwe,” he said.